Anglers battle Kent Wildlife Trust

More than 70 years ago, the Bromley District Angling Society began fishing at what is now Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. Over that time, the reserve’s lakes, fish, trees and habitat in general have been monitored and managed by the angling club’s members. That long relationship could end in March, the deadline set by Kent Wildlife Trust - the current caretaker of the reserve - for the BDAS to get out, even though it has three years left on its permit.
For the full story, visit Fcha.nl/kentwil...
UPDATE 03/03/2021: Following the release of our video and coverage from ITV, Kent Wildlife Trust met BDAS and the Angling Trust and agreed to allow the anglers to stay. Dennis Puttock said the group looked forward to working closely with the KWT to forge “a long-term plan for the benefit of nature conservation”.
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[@TheRealColt]

I was a practicing ecologist and many times I’ve had made up and implemented land management plans, I was always met with ‘we want more people to come and visit.’ land management by trusts rarely improve the landscape in the long run. As you’ve shown in this short video their intentions was to hugely increase footfall and onsite profits with extortionate cafes and amenities etc. So what does that mean..... land clearance and construction..... disturber ground, noise and air pollution. More visitors..... more rubbish..... less wildlife less green space.

[@davideddy2672]

100% This is where we are seeing the utter devastation wreaked here in Cornwall.

[@Ausomeoutdoors]

I live in Kent and this sickens me, We need some crowd funding in place to fight them in court.

[@dazzyd1964]

About time the Angling Trust got involved...

[@CyberKidXtra]

@@dazzyd1964 The have done mate. Check out their Facebook page.

[@nickhorten97]

The Kent Wildlife Trust has 31,000 members, a tiny handful of whom turn up at their AGM. If all the sportsmen in the area joined the KWTand all turned up at their AGM and supported their own agenda motions it would be possible to change KWT`s political direction at a stroke.

[@philipbant657]

An excellent idea.

[@waikarimoana]

Great sets of video for this week, thumbs up from all and , thanks to the team, tight lines and barrel and greetings to all from New Zealand.

[@mcmeeve]

A significant number of these wildlife trusts are effectively abolishing shooting and fishing via back door means

[@TheRealColt]

not to mention putting a price on something that shoudl be free to all. explore outdoors hunt and fishing... itll all be abolished in the near future by these paedo mp weve got in control

[@NarrowboatWill]

It's all profit now days.

[@JPond-wi9wv]

Feminists don't fish.

[@kieranroberts9119]

They have been doing this in little Paxton pits Cambs for years now there is very little fishing left there i spent my youth fishing the nature reserve and it is sad kids these days cannot do the same When u was young I remebrr I grest nature reserve now its all fences and signs saying don't don't don't they have turned it into a wet wipes theme park

[@bigglesbiggles4999]

Exactly the same problem with Nottinghamshire wildlife Trust at Attenborough nature reserve ..

[@fieldsportstv]

Hi Biggles, could you email me some details? [e-mail] Thanks

[@hunter100t]

yes i used to go there with the kids in the 80s and 90s, bit different now with hoards of people, cafe's and wot knot and guess what, a big reduction in wild life, it was wild once but now its a three ring circus. shame.

[@theloveboxquartet]

@@hunter100t Any proof for the 'big reduction in wildlife' claim at Attenborough?

[@hunter100t]

@@theloveboxquartet only my eyes and others i have spoken to when i am there.

[@barryingram31]

I fish these lakes and it sickens me that what i love doing here is coming to an end. Greedy big cats that no nothing about wildlife .

[@TheRealColt]

You’re lucky to be in a position to fish. Although I bet you were paying membership and rod licences etc. Don’t you realise these things are a huge scam. That’s what sickens me mate. These government owned and funded ‘trusts’ are the same people who destructively ravaged the land for centuries with overfishing, polluting and mining etc. Now in this poor day and age it’s passionate and thoughtful people like us which are scammed into paying the price for their damages.

[@christopherfarrington9270]

big yellow taxi comes to mind.

[@JPond-wi9wv]

Feminists don't fish

[@irisellis2427]

David Bellamy, the legendary botanist and tv presenter said "anglers are the eyes and ears of the countryside" non anglers don't care about what's in a lake,ie the fish.

[@gallopingg1]

KENT WILDLIFE TRUST IS A TOTAL DISGRACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheRealColt]

I think you’ll find that most ‘wildlife’ trusts are a total disgrace. Not one of them have wildlife in their best interests..... it’s all about money money money

[@djdoolittle1315]

@@TheRealColt ABBA

[@TheRealColt]

@@djdoolittle1315 Wiltshire trust. A better Biss Approach?

[@Z4kYb0I]

You do know this is agenda 21? You might laugh at this now......but in years to come.....you will see it roll out. We will soon need permits to visit the countryside. The countryside will be rewilded....while humans will be packed into urban areas. Watch Rosa Koire talk about it on youtube. The video you want to see is 1 hour 29 minutes long.......and essential watching.

[@TheRealColt]

@@Z4kYb0I no need to tell me mate. i know all too well what horrors are coming, its even going to be worse for me becuase i will kill or be killed before i get jabbed with paedohile backed and funded poisons

[@kennethsmith2758]

Lord Botham is running a campaighn at the moment about these sort of issues. I suggest people write to him about this matter

[@micko4463]

Wildlife trusts, woodland trust, national trust, all run by academics with no understanding of the countryside, they're just being run as a business with no real understanding or feeling for the wildlife, the areas history or the local community, only locals have that lifelong bond ingrained, these areas should only be run for the public by locals as they won't spoil their own back yard.

[@JPond-wi9wv]

Feminists don't fish

[@chrisguygeezer]

@@JPond-wi9wv What?

[@maisysmith7567]

No, they were run by academics. Now it's a new generation of upper middle class woke people from the cities who has been to the countryside once due to a school trip. They are desperate to make a changes to show that they have done something with their lives and any criticism of their short sighted vision will get you banned.

[@beardwierd2783]

Anglers have always looked after our surroundings. This is just big business in another form.

[@ibelieve1468]

All about the £££ like most charities and companies pretending to care!

[@FOOKYOUTUBENUMBERS]

I've just done a bit of research (Bit) as I was applaud by this decision to Ban Anglers, but it looks like the Anglers are their to stay, well done all involved; You should be recognized for Your achievements, This fishing spot could've be left to History books with no future in site. Well done to all I tip My hat to all involved in saving this Gem of beauty spot for Anglers...

[@alexwatt569]

They have already done all of this at brockholes nature reserve in Preston

[@MKChase-uj9vx]

These organisations are businesses like any other... and they follow the money. Like so many politicians, they may start out with good intentions, but these can quickly become forgotten.

[@marli288]

Heavy Handed Money Grabing Greedy TRUST!! TRUST my Arse! These folk on the footage CLEARLY CARE and apreciate what they have and Dearly! Reserve the Reserve!

[@matthewtanner9823]

The second the Anglers went the whole place would turn into a litter bin. You only need to listen to those Anglers in the video to know that nobody but themselves are looking after the place. All Anglers should stand alongside them. Sharing this on my 2 Fishing Facebook pages in support!!

[@Andre-kc9di]

Collectively the anglers know pretty much everything that's going on with the wildlife in the areas they fish

[@marklanahan7289]

It's all about government grants and subsequent targets.

[@shropshireladoutdoors743]

Its pressure from anti shooting and fishing brigade they have bought land in the past then sold it again and retained the shooting and fishing rights this is there usual tactics deer have been left with no food and in poor health because they weren't culled and managed

[@raybede]

Our local Wildlife Trust have presided over the loss of the Nightingale from our local site by insane, so called, conservation measures. I call them 'Desk top Wildlifers'. A strange bunch for sure.

[@hunter100t]

Bit of a contradiction in terms is'nt it, wild life and improve foot fall, the reverse will happen and it will become baron save a few birds passing through, probably some faceless moron that knows nothing about nothing trying to "fix" something that does'nt need it just to make a name for themselves, stay strong fisher people and challenge every move they make !

[@smithatthebackoftheclass5392]

what where all the blurred boxes?

[@ghost-wm1hw]

Same happening in Epping forest. And has happened at gunpowder park.

[@gwl78]

I was hoping to join in the next year or so as I wanted to fish there for a few years now its gone for no reason.

[@barrysleafer8347]

That place will be absolutely ruined if this all goes through

[@johnhilliard4498]

So what are the fishing club going to do about it. are they members of a bigger orgaisation? like a cpas or Basc

[@fieldsportstv]

They are fighting it with the help of the Angling Trust. / Charlie

[@tinabaker4662]

There should be a campaign to enlist ALL anglers as members of this trust, attend the AGM and overturn this decision. Unfortunately, this is typical behaviour by no nothing, blinkered individuals who generally are not well informed about the countryside. This is typical Beatrix Potter behaviour by ignorant tree huggers.

[@henagesud]

Good luck . Hope things work out .

[@dazzyd1964]

This is akin to what Hampshire Wildlife Trust did to the Abbots Barton stretch of the Itchen on 2009 - they made an absolute balls-up of the whole project...

[@MrPh30]

Question is how long can this attempt by them last,popularity over new event areas tend to fade away if there is nothing natural around them to give something back to the visitors.

[@barryroberts2196]

Country Park & Weddings !! You have to be joking !!

[@TeamBuffaloOutdoors]

Your lakes aren’t frozen?

[@fieldsportstv]

Not in the south of England. Some froze in Scotland last week. / Charlie

[@TeamBuffaloOutdoors]

@@fieldsportstv we finally got some lake freezing here in the states. Attempting an ice fishing video this weekend!

[@sweetpea221000]

All these trusts have more power than they deserve. They are the new barons of the countryside

[@batch6792]

Another prime example of the council doing what they want, irrespective of any damage they cause to the environment, wildlife, or others. Money money money !.

[@andrewthomas405]

Maybe the anglers could put forward an alternative plan

[@michaelwaugh1187]

What’s the latest on this story?

[@fieldsportstv]

The anglers won 🙂 - Kent WT backed down. / Charlie

[@michaelwaugh1187]

@@fieldsportstv fantastic,

[@Jamieporthouse]

Hi Charlie. Are they still going ahead with the revamp plans ? So happy to hear the news on the anglers !

[@darkiee69]

They'll turn it in to a park.

[@colinstuart6708]

We had the same thing with Wiltshire Wildlife on a trout lake at Cotswold Water Park area. Quite happy to take the money but imposed idiotic restrictions do much so that loads of us left. One of the brilliant ideas was to ban use of the 3 boats on half the lake after October so as not to scare the birds. We were also not able to fish half the bank of the lake for health and safety. In all the years I fished there I only ever saw 3 people around the lake. I am sure theses wildlife bodies do good in some areas but they are pissing off the very people who are potentially their biggest allies. Good luck BDAA

[@joedennehy386]

I am a keen angler from new Zealand. I have just posted a 1 star review of them on google, with the comment. Trying to ban angling, ridiculous. I suggest you do the same. They only have 90 reviews 100 negative ones will drop them to 3 star or less . Idiots running places like this care about such things. They just dont like angling. Get a solicitor to check out the deeds of trust. I'll bet one of the named activities they must foster will be angling. Fight fight fight. Good luck

[@donaldmichaellumsden2714]

An increase in people will NOT increase revenue to help fund the park , it will scare away the wildlife . The 1st thing I thought about this video was if they put in 4x more toilets , theres going to be 4x more runoff. Into the lake . This was confirmed by one of the old guys , who knows what he was talking about . There will be more trash also ., noise pollution , and even air pollution Considering how much woodland has been lost in UK , i dont see how it can be justified for loosing what is left. by greed .

[@astrazenica7783]

They have a Twitter account - @kentwildlife I have let them know they're making a silly mistake. Other ppl need to do the same

[@philipstokes913]

I live in east Yorkshire all the old gravel pits lakes i have fished for years have all been bought up bu rspb or developers and turned into caravan camps and private fishing only to those on site thats why me and my son bought a boat so we can carry on fishing but on rivers now .us as anglers dont count in this country at all

[@johnread2250]

Good luck with your campaign. Like most things in the country it should be left under the stewardship of those who care. Car parks and cafes yes this will certainly encourage the wild life but not the right sort!!

[@robertlang3624]

Have I missed something here, isn't a wildlife trust supposed to protect wildlife? Not turn it into a wedding venue and business venture. It seems that the anglers have a better understanding of how to protect this sanctuary.

[@peterevans4175]

Decent anglers look after the environment

[@shanequeen5003]

So it's about money not environmental issues does tht ring a bell

[@frankheaton5338]

ALL ABOUT THE DOSH.WE ALL KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

[@jasonparry3297]

This is great news.No more killing at the reserve.

[@davidbee3632]

Absolutely shocking from Kent wildlife. SHOCKING.

[@paulfranciosi8155]

We have lost some great ponds in the northeast too wildlife trusts.

[@djdoolittle1315]

Welcome my son welcome to the machine

[@robertwren8878]

This is freedom and social liberties being taken away from the people that it was put there for in the first place. Ratepayers need to voice their opinions are they to be charged for what they already pay for,to not do this,not do that,this is the people's recreation,the people's escape from the stresses of life itself. Fishing for councils,wildlife trusts is the future of the younger generation which in turn helps to save money in policeing,vandalism,drugs,knife crime and giving back to the community that was given to them. If you take away someone's rights in the land of the free then prepare for war.

[@Harrysmash10]

More word needs to be spread

[@nagnomena860]

I quote part of KWT website .. “We are currently facing a challenge greater than ever before, as the coronavirus pandemic has a huge effect on our finances. It is expected that we will face a loss of between £600,000 and £800,000 by the end of the year. This is despite us doing everything we can to mitigate the impact and to continue our work where possible. We need your help now more than ever. Got no money 😂

[@piscator2800]

If you give the management of any site over to people with a vested interest, such as anglers you will always get a better managed site than if its left to a wildlife trust. All they seem interested in is attracting visitors, increasing visitor numbers and raising their public profile so they therefore demonstrate the 'good work' they do and attract more funding, until all you end up with is a car-park, a dog walking circuit and trees festooned with bags of dog s*@t

[@p.p.8113]

Anglers are the eyes an ears on protecting wildlife woodland when pollutants have been dumped rubbish trapping anglers are the ones seeing it.🎣🎣

[@redcalx9568]

same happend with pubs, turn everything into a family only hellscape

[@leathleyg5995]

Making the countryside accessible for everyone......... .........except anglers........

[@markus8222]

The older guy sounds like Roy Hodgson

[@mikeedwards2384]

It's all about the money they can pocket for them selves they don't care what happens to the lake or the land rent the structures out for special paying people and let the rest go it's the same on this side of the world also hope you all can get it back

[@manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069]

ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY,,,,,,,JUST LIKE EVERYTHING NOWADAYS,,,, SAD BUT TRUE. I wish them luck

[@TheMagot1]

How TF does putting in car parks cafes and wedding facilities improve wildlife.

[@gazwren8252]

Tell your lawyers to check out your Riperian rights

[@petethursby3838]

It's all about money from visitors! Don't ask the locals what they want? When that fab fades? These money crabbers will be gone & leave the mess behind! The anglers/walkers alike have & always be there, they look after the lakes & pay their way because they care what's already there! I lived in Sevenoaks as a 3-9 kid(1968-74) & seeing this churns my stomach when I visited with my family! I can't believe what developer's have done all over Kent's country side.

[@returntofreespeech6136]

Resist the aims of the Trust which seem to have no intention to make the site wilder.

[@GLK-London]

So many freedoms are being lost and overpopulation is the biggest threat to Kent and wildlife. Very sad to hear what's happening to the anglers.

[@jjs3287]

All about money. All these places are valuable land assets to these organisations and as usual its the few dedicated people who have loved and made use of these areas for years that lose out to the masses that may only visit once in a lifetime. Sadly most people dont have an understanding of the kind of true wilderness that people like anglers prefer and instead are not interested unless they can park their car, buy a coffee and use the loo.

[@GRHDA]

Anything with Wildlife or trust in the title is a licence to print money. Super attractive to Townies who think the countryside should be coated in concrete,

[@Andy-qo6rq]

Kent wildlife trust sounds like it a big business to make money but hiding behind the Kent wildlife trust but not interested in any wildlife just make money opening up isolated area of the park disturbing more wildlife to bring in more people. More people means more cars more money spent in new cafe more litter and more noise. This will make all the wildlife move to another quieter site. Not doubt it will be run by volunteers like our local park in Essex. All volunteers are elderly as they have spare time even though they mean well the service is run down. And sometimes when they have no volunteers to run shop they only sell teas don’t have staff for food preparation.

[@dutchyno.1767]

All charities now are unfortunately cash cows! Keep fighting for the anglers and the true conservationists.

[@Esoxlucius51]

That's not a conservation charity,it's a development company masquerading as one.stick it to em anglers.does the Angling Trust have no comments to make? don't these " wildlife trusts" have any idea just how much conservation work anglers actually do?

[@andrewthomas405]

I’m an angler in Hampshire and I will help fight this stupidity.....its clear this has nothing to do with wild life

[@theforlanjoker4457]

Dont let them.

[@topfour9160]

Take em to court

[@RichardEnglander]

In true Orwellian style 'Wilder Kent' means more people, more disturbance, more litter and less conservation minded angler types. Yet again councils ignoring the working class and going for the latte avocado types.

[@JareddarArt]

Give it five years and the lakes will be dead of wildlife, over grown and covered in litter.

[@benjohnson5505]

About right, All about money for a change

[@cliverobinson5830]

Before you know it there will be a miniature railway running around the complex & full size fibreglass dinosaurs! KWT.... jokers!!

[@pemj7360]

So as an angler we enjoy the peace and quiet we don't ruin the land. Unlike the money grabbing idiots that want to ruin the land

[@jwdagriculture]

Used to shoot down there years ago when they wanted geese and rabbits numbers brought down

[@Unborn-Stillborn]

Thank god I don't live in england. They see a small stagnant pond as wildlife, that's amazing to me. Now they're even taking that away from the locals.

[@stevenward6453]

If it wasn't for fishermen most of our rivers would be open sewers and fishless

[@gerryg1056]

"A wilder Kent" .... complete with a swankier café, improved toilets, a much larger car park with coach parking? Ummmm, yeah that'll make it a lot wilder, probably drive all the wildlife away.

[@redcalx9568]

I visited Gillingham once just newspaper and dog mess on every street

[@NarrowboatWill]

Profit and then more profit

[@jamescurtis5200]

There are KNOB heads, can they not see how is looking after the place!!! They have NO IDEA

[@gdreading9088]

money . . thats what kent wildlife trust is after, and never mind the wildlife.

[@n.w.londoner6369]

You guys wait until Tesco turn up

[@davidgray3321]

Not far about I meant faf abou

[@algernon9324]

Good to see Anglers on the retreat. They claim ownership on vast swathes of our canal and river system leaving hooks and lures for our birds snag themselves on. I know some kill otter in order to protect fish stocks. Should be banned alongside fox/ stag hunting, hare coursing and bird shooting.

[@protectorbobby]

Kent wildlife trust They just don’t want people to enjoy their lives anymore or Nature You’ll probably find they build a load of million pound houses on it I live in Kent and that’s all I see lately is people from London having their big massive houses built in the country cutting down trees very sad days to come

[@iancharlton678]

Kerching..... 🥺 follow the money. The insidious creep of greed.... it’s all about revenue.... only about revenue.

[@pauljohnstone776]

Nothing like good old professional managers that know nothing about the business they are ruining.........they will be off very soon to ruin somewhere else, god forbid they will be held responsible......

[@samdunn2077]

It’s all about 💰 no one’s bothered about the nature

[@rogergregory5981]

That wildlife trust need to be close down

[@billybass4189]

Follow the money.

[@PBclipz]

So money is the reason. Build more shit so people come and spend money, buying shite that they will litter the place with without remorse. Seen it before and we'll see it again, the anglers get shit on! PURE GREED.

[@davidgray3321]

The wildlife trust obviously know nowt, we have a similar mob in Bedfordshire , lots of green uniforms but they know nothing compared to the anglers, most of them have given up a real job to far about , the contractors do the work, not the wildlife types, DONT GIVE IN