Kingswinford, West Midlands based, Starlets 65 Angling Club have a rather unique membership age qualification criteria – all club members must be over 65 years old before being allowed to join!
The 28 strong group of match fishing ‘oldies’ have over 30 matches every year, their club calendar puts some open age clubs to shame, as it stretches from April to December and the matches are fished whatever the weather.
Secretary Terry Kavanagh at 76 is, incredibly, not the oldest club member, that ‘honour’ is shared between Arthur Williams and Stan Bevan but both will only admit to being ‘in their eighties’.
The club was formed by Terry and his wife, Pat, in 2006. Pat regularly wins matches and frames on a consistent basis and the club also has two other lady members, Doreen Williams and Doreen Putnam, (ages omitted!) who also win matches every year.
Terry is looking to add some new members to the fold as he jovially adds:
“Members are ill on a regular basis so this sometimes cuts down attendances on match days, so a few new faces would redress the balance”
Venues used are solely commercial fisheries, with short walks and good parking facilities a must, when I asked if he had considered sponsors for the club events, with me putting forward names like Ralgex, Vic and Milk of Magnesia, he told me that at 54 years old I was a cheeky young whipper-snapper!
The club travels all around the Midlands and uses every penny of members’ subs to provide free Christmas meals and prizes at the Fur & Feather event each year.
They all have an amazing almost teenage sense of humour that makes every one of their days out an event to remember!
All interested match anglers over 65 who can remember what they have just read, please ring Terry on 01384 422998
