A deputation - comprising of Gareth Bulman, Cheryl Bulman(Secretary), Bryan Jones (Chairman) and Moc Morgan had an audience with Elin Jones - Welsh Assembly Minister for Rural Affairs - at Aberaeron recently. The purpose of the deputation was to discuss with the Minister the problem associated with the demands from the Welsh Canoe Union / Canoe Wales for the Welsh Assembly Government to make changes to the law and thereby open up all Welsh rivers so that they can gain free, unfettered access to them whenever they like – ie give them a Free for All. This would mean that the River Teifi could be used by rafts and other boats without them seeking permission from landowners, farmers and anglers. At present on the lower Teifi - downriver of Llandysul - rafts with six to ten persons on board go down in fleets destroying every other activity on the water ignoring the wishes of the owners.
The deputation explained to the Minister how Tregaron AA welcomes anglers from all parts of the U.K and all can fish some 17 miles of river managed by Cymdeithas Pysgota Tregaron Angling Association (CPTAA) and the payment for the fishing would be one of the cheapest in the U.K The CPTAA has no objection to canoeist using the river provided that their activity is the result of a local agreement drawn up between them and CPTAA. Annually the CPTAA has often invited youth from Wales and England to the Teifi to have tuition in river fishing over a weekend. If canoes were allowed to come and go as they please with no agreements in place - such courses would be impossible to arrange. The deputation received a very warm welcome by the Minister and she stated that she agreed with the view of the deputation - while agreeing that inland waters could be opened up for other water sports it would have to be as a result of local agreements. The Minister has an excellent record in helping the rivers, river valleys and the sport of angling and very generous grants have been given towards conservation and angling development – thus it is obvious that angling is in very safe hands. She appreciates the input that angling gives to the local economy in areas such as the upper Teifi and her encouragement and help was appreciated by members of the deputation.
