Successful First Year of Community Management at Country Park Fishing Waters

More than a year after the management of Hailsham Country Park’s fishing lake and Hempstead Pond was transferred to a local community angling club, Hailsham Town Council is pleased to report that the new arrangement is working well and proving a success.

The management agreement with the Southdown & Hydneye Community Angling Club (SHCAC) was introduced last year, with the established community club taking responsibility for the day-to-day upkeep of the fishing waters and the management of angling activities at both Hailsham Country Park lake and Hempstead Pond.

More than 12 months on, the partnership has provided a more structured approach to managing the Town Council’s fishing waters, with regular water bailiff patrols, improved oversight of fishing activity and ongoing maintenance of fishing areas helping to support a cleaner, safer and better-managed environment for anglers and other visitors.

Under the agreement, SHCAC manages angling activities, including fishing arrangements and charges, while its waterkeepers undertake both daytime and nighttime patrols. The club also helps to keep fishing areas tidy and plays an important role in deterring illegal fishing and other inappropriate activity.

The Town Council remains the owner of both the Country Park lake and Hempstead Pond, with the community angling club operating the waters under a formal lease arrangement.

Tony Lee, Operations & Facilities Manager at Hailsham Town Council, said: “It’s very pleasing to look back after more than a year and see that the arrangement is working as we had hoped. SHCAC has taken on the day-to-day management of the fishing waters and has developed a strong working relationship with the Town Council.”

“The regular presence of water bailiffs has been particularly valuable. Having people actively monitoring the waters provides reassurance to legitimate anglers and helps us address issues such as illegal fishing, antisocial behaviour and poor conduct more effectively.”

“The club has also taken responsibility for keeping the fishing areas maintained and tidy, which benefits not only anglers but everyone who uses and enjoys the Country Park and surrounding area.”

Mr Lee added: “Our aim from the outset was to protect the quality of the fishing waters while reducing the day-to-day management burden on the Town Council, and more than a year in, we are seeing the benefits of that approach. We will continue to work closely with SHCAC to ensure the lake and Hempstead Pond remain well managed and enjoyed responsibly.”

Cllr Dave Chapman, Chair of the Assets Management Committee, commented: “The decision to transfer the day-to-day management of the lake and Hempstead Pond to an established community angling club was about finding a sustainable way of looking after these important local assets while continuing to provide opportunities for fishing.”

“More than a year on, it is clear that the arrangement has been a positive one. SHCAC has brought experience, knowledge and a strong presence on the waters, while the Town Council continues to retain ownership of the sites.”

“The regular patrols and improved management have also helped to tackle some of the problems that can arise around fishing waters, particularly illegal fishing and antisocial behaviour. This is important not just for anglers but for nearby residents and everyone who visits Hailsham Country Park.”

“We are grateful to SHCAC and its volunteers for the work they have undertaken over the past year. The partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when the Council works with an established local organisation that has a genuine interest in protecting and improving the facilities it manages.”

Both the Hailsham Country Park lake – accessible for fishing from the east bank off Gleneagles Drive – and Hempstead Pond (adjacent to Tilehurst Wood), remain popular with anglers. The waters are well stocked with a variety of coarse fish, including carp, bream, roach, rudd, tench, perch and pike, offering anglers opportunities to target a range of species while enjoying the surrounding countryside.

The Town Council says that the successful first year of the arrangement demonstrates the value of working in partnership with specialist community organisations to help manage and protect local facilities for the long term.