The Harrow Angling Society was founded in 1937 by a small body of local anglers including E.W.Siddall, Jack Groves, Len Lane, Mr. Bradley and Mr. Sidwell, also others unnamed, all keen fisherman at that time. They secured the fishing rights of Harefield Pit from the original owners, Rose and Company, and later John Morgan and Company.
The area of water adjoining Moorhall Road which we call No. 1 lake was quite small then, but slowly this began to grow larger as the ballast workers extracted their quarry. Ballast used to be brought by a large flat bottom barge to the entrance at Moorhall Road and taken away.
After a few years, machinery was erected on the site that the present modern plant occupies. The No. 1 lake then began to grow quite large as the workings progressively pulled back. It was most fortunate that the land was cut in irregular pattern, trees were left uncut, bushes and shrubbery grew, the lake began to mature, and a very fine fishery was made by man and nature, stocking of all types of coarse fish had been carried out by the Society. With nature playing its full part, fish bred rather rapidly.
A picture painted by Mr. Sydney Jones of this original No. 1 lake is on show at our Club room at the Windmill. Apart from the mountains in the background, which Mr Jones saw fit to include, this is a true picture of the lake as it was, a very lovely scene. Mr Sydney Jones was a past President and Secretary for many years.
After a period of time a consignment of fertiliser was put into the lake which resulted in fine weed growth taking place, this then was an anglers paradise. I have seen heron standing in shallow water at this lake waiting to lure fish for their feed, kingfisher and several wild birds species being frequent visitors. Robins would perch on the edge of one's bait can and enjoy the feed off the maggots. Sorrowfully this is now lost. Old barges were brought in for destruction and sunk. Much to my horror this happened one Sunday by arrangement with the owners of that time, no notification being given to the Society; back filing on a large scale took place later, and the beautiful wooded section torn apart and uprooted, just three years ago.
This area subsequently filled with water and remains today as it was left. At the beginning section of this lake there used to be what was known as the pool, this was abundant with weed of various types with an island at its centre. Fine catches of tench, pike, rudd, carp, perch and roach could always be obtained here as many members will recall, and if you wandered around the further bank, many attractive spots were available for some fine sport.
A pair of swans used to nest on the island every April, and invariably four cygnets were born, sadly two of these pretty young creatures were usually devoured by pike come late June, this happened year after year.
Referring back I remember one could always choose a swim and know one would catch a fine bag of fish, many's the time I have gone for pike and had great sport. A large amount of the original head of fish have now migrated to the lake known as No. 2.
Approximately thirteen years ago workings commenced at this area, which has now resulted in the huge stretch of water we now have at our disposal. This I believe will mature and become as an attractive fishery as No. 1 in the past. I, together with other members, have patiently waited for the workings to end on this lake in order to tidy up this vast area of fishery the Society controls.
This huge lake will mature as nature and we members play our part. A fine consignment of carp and roach were deposited in this lake three years ago, and other species will be added in the near future. The wooded section all along the west side of this lake has great potential. Weed life should appear in the course of time in the shallows along this section, and now that the ballasting has come to an end on this stretch of water, let us look forward in anticipation, for many years to come, coupled with our willingness to work for, enjoy, and retain our Society's fishery.
Following Mr Ernie Potter's excellent note on the founding and early years of the Harrow Angling Society this is a short account of the progress made during the 20 year period 1965-85. I regret that a report of this nature will inevitably include many names from the past and in particular many dates and the first of these is 1969 when we were all sad to say 'goodbye' to Ernie upon his retirement to Wadebridge. He really was a character and apart from being a good fisherman he was for some years Treasurer of H.A.S.
In June 1967 the Society acquired fishing rights at Rowley Lake closely followed in September 1968 by Langley. About the same time fishing on a short stretch of the River Bourne in Surrey came into our hands. The Bourne is a small stream, rather narrow and very weedy in summer, but holding good chub among other fish. This was the Society's first running water since giving up a length on the Colne some years previously. Also at this time - May 1969 - the News Magazine appeared in its present form, the first editor was Arthur Pitts.
At the AGM in April 1970 a Sea Angling Section was formed and was organised by Denis Sleigh. He, regrettably, is no longer a member having moved from his home at High Wycombe, and after a period of dwindling support the section was wound up. In April 1971 our much respected President and hard working past Secretary Eddie Pragnell retired to Devon. He had taken over the reins in 1960, and two Committee members as well as the writer, who at that time was Curator, served with him. During this period the membership, about 100, was gradually creeping up until what was considered a maximum workable number for a Society with honorary officers would be reached (300-350). Ken Miller replaced Mr Pragnell as Honorary Secretary, a position he held with great distinction and much hard work until he was suddenly taken very ill in December 1975. It was during Ken Miller's many years as Secretary together with Mr Jack Clarke, Chairman and latterly Treasurer too that the Society really made great headway as a well run angling club with five waters and sound finances. Close season working parties, lake maintenance programmes and fishery management under Eric Cooke all contributed to this success.
Sadly his illness forced Mr Miller to give up the Secretaryship and the Society was indeed fortunate to have a member with business experience willing to take over at short notice - Terry Skelton. Terry at the time of writing is still our Secretary and the hope is that he will be able to continue for many years yet.
To go back a little, after Eddie Pragnell, John Tekell took over as President followed by a founder member Leslie Mead in 1972. Upon Mr Meads untimely death, Reg Daws stepped into the President's shoes and he was succeeded by Ken Miller for a brief period, by now happily recovered from illness.
Over the years as Committee members were elected, served and departed two officers continued to give their valuable time to the Society year after year. They were a tower of strength, Jack Clarke as Chairman for many years and Treasurer has already been mentioned and Frank Webb our Curator who also enjoyed a short spell as President, in the 60s.
Although the Society has never gone in for match angling as such, in 1979 three competitions were arranged for that season on a trial basis for members and friends. They were quite well supported and judged a success and are now a regular feature.
In the last twenty years much re-stocking has taken place particularly at Harefield No 2, Rowley and Langley. Weed at the latter two waters was causing concern but energetic measures taken by the Fishery Management Committee and the particular fishery managers involved have, for the time being at least, brought the problem under control.
The River Bourne lease was not renewed for the 1980 season. The only other item of note not mentioned here so far is the advent of the Hillingdon Sailing Base at Harefield No 2. This started in a very small way about 1966 and like Topsy grew and grew , backed by the Borough Council, much to many anglers unease. However relations on the whole are good and mutual complaints of bad behaviour are now rare.
This note is intended to cover only the 20 year period to 1985, but before I close I must record here the sad fact that Jack Clarke died in August 1987 and although he is greatly missed we are fortunate to have secured the services of John Barnes to succeed him as Treasurer.
Lastly I will conclude this review with the hope and belief that under the present vigorous and enthusiastic management and those that follow, H.A.S. will continue to thrive over the next 20 years.