Chinnor Works Angling Society
CWAS - otherwise known as Chinnor Works Angling Society
Fishing started at the cement works in Chinnor in the early 1970s. One of the former workers at the site discretely introduced some fish into the number one quarry at the site which was the site of the first excavation of chalk for cement production. This quarry was located next to the former Watlington railway line, which had been axed in the Beaching cuts in 1963. The lake was oblong shaped and around an acre and a half in size.
The fish thrived and a small handfukl of cement works employees enjoyed some very good local fishing. To improve cement production a cooling reservoir was constructed which is the site of the fishing lake that CWAS now fish. Water was pumped from the blue lagoon to the region to ensure the water levels stayed constant when the water was extracted to cool the processed cement at the end of the hugh rotating kiln
Around 1976 it was decided to transfer the fish stocks from the number one quarry to the cooling lake, now known as Kiln Lake. The fishing continued to be good and more people started to fish the quarry. The number one quarry was filled with the dust extracted from the cement production site.
The Rugby Portland Cement Company, angling club Chinnor was formed in 1980. Most of the club members were from the work force on site and some guests were encouraged to become involved with fishing society.
At this time there were regular work parties to develop the bare quarry and build safe fishing sites around the late. Some of the cement based platforms can still be seen on what is now the housing side of the lake. These fishing stages are a long way above the current level of the lake due to the fact that the quarry was continually being topped up from the Blue Lagoon for the cement production cooling of the kiln. The yellow primroses from these early work parties can still be seen at the lake during spring time and early summer.
With cement production coming to an end at the site, it was agreed with the Rugby cement company that CWAS could still fish the lake. In March 1997 the club was renamed Chinnor Works Fishing Club, which was to reflect that the organisation was based on the hard work of the cement work workers and their affilated colleagues.
The first licence to fish the lake was granted on 3rd March 2001 by RMC aggregates and Chinnor Works angling Society has continued to pay for this privilege since that time.
The club paid RMS for the fishing licence and carried out work parties to improve the environment until the site was sold to Taylor Wimpey. The society was allowed to continue fishing until April 2010 when they were informed that permission on site for health and safety reasons whilst the owners constructed all their housing was being withdrawn. RMC informed CWAS that 3 months notice would be give to leave the site, however this did not come to fruition. Club members had just rejoined for the year as well as CWAS investing a significant amount of club funds on new carp stock.
It became extremely difficult to contact the new owners of the site who had ignored attempts to continue paying for the fishing at the lake. Afer CWAS was excluded from fishing the former quarry, concerns by members we raised regarding their stock of fish. An interview by BBC in the spring of 2012 discussing the issue fell on deaf ears.
In July 2016 The Chairman and secretary gained and interview with Taylor Wimpey at their Abingdon offices regarding fishing at the works now Taylor Wimpey had finished their building program at the site. A new lease for fishing at the formeer quarry was granted.
Members of CWAS spent a lot of time removing rubbish from around the lake and clearing some of the undergrowth to enable safe access to the waters edge. Some of the original lilies were thriving and more were planted. CWAS were required to build access gates to the site as they were informed the area was for fishermen only due to health and safety issues for the region. The water is dangerous as it is very deep and mildly alkaline. Swimming is not permitted in the quarry.
Fishing at the lake has beencome very popular with local anglers, especially during the Covid pandemic when lives became restricted for fear of catching the virus. Angling was deemed a safe activity as it could be done with anglers keeping separate from each other. CWAS joined the Angling Trust as this time and it was thanks to their efforts fishing could go ahead again.
With the aid of assistance from the environment agency new protection island have been constructed and cormorants and other wildlife enjoy the safety of the island. A reed area at the end of the lake good for fish breeding and provision for other aquatic life. The islands consist of fauna that can now be observed in other areas of the quarry.
Trust Green has now taken over the responsibility for the region from Taylor Wimpey and CWAS have been able to negotiate a lease for CWAS members to continue fishing of the area.
Current worries about the lack of a safety fence at the deep end of the lake. CWAS have been inforrrrrmed they can construst a fence hopeflly preventing members of the public stumbleing into this unprotected area and have a serious accident.
CWAS would like to develop the environment further by reconstructing the small pond next to the fishing lake and to regain the parking area for all members.