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Annual Fishing Season Under Way Soon at Town Council’s Waterways

Council News & Services

Fishing 

Summer is now here and so is the onset of the fishing season! Angling enthusiasts can enjoy the best coarse fishing and cast a line on the Town Council’s waterways with the start of the annual fishing season on Monday 15th June, but must observe the latest social distancing guidelines when doing so.

Fishing is currently permitted on season at two Town Council managed sites: Hailsham Country Park lake (off Gleneagles Drive) and Hempstead Pond (adjacent to Tilehurst Wood). Both fishing areas are well-stocked with fish including carp, bream, roach, rudd, tench, perch and pike.

When the fishing season opens, people will be permitted to go fishing on their own, with members of their household, or with one other person while adhering to social distancing rules.

Water bailiffs will be present where possible to encourage visitors to keep a safe 2-metre distance from one another, in order to protect the health and safety of the local community.

Karen Giddings, Environment & Planning Officer at Hailsham Town Council said, “For the keen fisherman, there isn’t a better place for fishing than the Hailsham Country Park lake. Besides enjoying the beauty of the surrounding areas, there’s an abundance of fish to catch and the nearby Hempstead Pond site provides anglers with a wide variety of species to target too.”

Town Clerk John Harrison commented: “It’s excellent news that people are still permitted to fish at the Country Park when the season commences in a couple of weeks. Indeed, fishing can be undertaken safely while adhering to current social distancing guidelines. Nevertheless, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of fishing responsibly and safely in order to continue playing our own part in safeguarding ourselves and others from the coronavirus.”

Yearly season tickets are available via the Town Council offices (£40 adult; £25 senior citizens, disabled and children under 16 years). A current Environment Agency rod licence and passport photo must be produced when purchasing permits.

If you wish to purchase a season ticket, please telephone Karen Giddings on 01323 841702 or send an email, leaving your contact details for a callback and to make a payment. Please note that only BACS/electronic transfer payments are being accepted for purchase of the fishing season permits at this time.

Weekly fishing permits can be obtained from MFC Supplies in Station Road (limited opening times at present, but operating Monday to Saturday – 9am-5.30pm – from 15th June).

Enquiries relating to this media release

Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk