THIS MESSAGE IS FROM BARRIE RICKARDS:
As I do not have access to the Net, and wouldn't have the faintest idea how to begin even if I did, I rely on Graham Marsden to post (is that the word?) my belated reply.
I seem to have accidentally misled Paul Williams. I DO believe the decision has already been made, but I agree with Steve Pope that the decision will be in favour of RETAINING the river's close season, and that this will obtain for a few years now.
It's the wrong decision in my own view, although it does not affect me personally in any way - hence I can look at the matter coldly. A good debate is excellent.
The ONLY thing I have objected to in this debate is the abuse being thrown, quite unnecessarily, and most of it has come from the pro-close season side. (I was with Steve Pope at the weekend. What a pity he didn't remind me it was HIM: we could have had a good punch up. Mind you, as he is nobbut a young fellow, I might have come off the worse!).
Good points are being made in this Forum, especially by the editor!!
As someone said, it's a bit of a pity that the debate could not have been fuller before Moran reached its recommendations to the Review Committee.
Barrie Rickards