BDAS EGM Feb 2026
For all those that could not attend the EGM this week. Please see the club statement below.
As you know, BDAS has held Pixies Mere for the past five years. During that time, our dedicated management team has worked tirelessly to raise the lake to a standard the club could be proud of and one that reflected the values of Boxmoor & District Angling Society. The amount of time, care and effort that has gone into maintaining and improving the venue cannot be overstated.
Over those five years, discussions have taken place with the Boxmoor Trust regarding a potential lease extension. However, it’s important to recognise that the Trust’s wider vision for Pixies Mere extends beyond angling. While the lake has supported the angling community for around 80 years, the Trust’s long-term plan is to open the area up for broader environmental and community use.
Unfortunately, despite lengthy negotiations, we have been unable to agree a lease extension.
During discussions, the Trust proposed significant rule changes. One of the major changes was the removal of all carp-associated baits. Only sweetcorn, maggots, casters and limited feeder pellets would be permitted. All standard, safe carp baits would be banned. The reasoning provided related to concerns about water turbidity.
As a club, we were not in favour of this change. However, we considered whether Pixies could continue as a silver fish venue and decided to keep discussions open in the interest of retaining the water for members.
Another major concern has been the carp population. We are all aware that numbers have already been heavily reduced due to otter predation. The Trust made it clear they did not wish to install protective measures such as otter fencing, as their aim is to encourage all wildlife on the land. Carp were viewed more as part of the ecological balance rather than a priority species.
Despite this, the committee continued negotiating in good faith, trying to find a workable solution for the benefit of our members.
Eventually, a lease extension was offered. While the lake would have been at zero cost, fishing rights would have been heavily restricted. Members would have been permitted to fish only three days out of every ten. In real terms, that equated to just 18% of the year available for angling. The remaining 82% would have been reserved for Trust-led works and environmental development — including wetlands, new footpaths, bridges, bank works and projects to encourage bird life.
Again, we looked at the positives and tried to see whether the club could operate within those constraints.
However, the issue we could not move past was liability.
The Trust required BDAS to hold full responsibility and insurance cover for the lake 365 days a year, 24 hours a day — including during periods when they would be carrying out development work and when members were not permitted to fish.
After seeking professional advice, the committee unanimously agreed that this posed unacceptable financial and legal risks to the club. We were strongly advised not to sign under those terms. We proposed that BDAS would insure and cover the 18% fishing time, and that the Trust would cover their own periods of use and development.
This response was submitted just before Christmas.
At a meeting last week, the Trust informed us they have decided to withdraw the lease offer entirely. They wish to focus on their redevelopment plans without the complications of shared access and fishing. They also stated they do not currently have the resources, funding or framework in place to guarantee angler safety during the project phase. This is, of course, extremely disappointing.
The committee has worked incredibly hard over the past 12 months trying to secure a future at Pixies Mere. However, given the circumstances, we believe the right decision has ultimately been made for the protection of the club.
Therefore, I must confirm that from 1st June 2026, Pixies Mere will no longer be available under a BDAS ticket.
I would like to personally thank every committee member involved over the years in delivering Pixies Mere to BDAS. I was part of the original team that put the tender together, and it is heartbreaking to see that chapter come to an end.
In particular, I want to thank the Pixies management team — Lindsey, Pete and Scott — along with the bailiff team. Their dedication, time and effort have given us what many would describe as a golden era for the club. The condition of the lake and the fishing we have enjoyed is a direct result of their hard work.
We will of course remain in contact with the Boxmoor Trust in the hope that, one day, circumstances may change and Pixies Mere could once again become available to us.
BDAS Committee