The Open at Gold Valley saw 60 anglers and 1 junior turn up for this year’s major event. The rain tried hard to disrupt things, but with all the facilities in the club house ie breakfast and the draw, plus those who fancied an early pint, we were catered for in comfort. The Committee decision to fish at a later time this year (from l pm. until 6pm) was fully justified by the 894 1b total weigh (an average of over 141b per man).
   This year saw a very close finish where only 9ozs separated the top two. Just edging home for this year’s title was Johnny Weeden, brother of early morning airport face Tony, whose tactics of going for the roach paid off with over 29 1bs of Redfins, plus 5 carp for a 48-6-0 total. Runner up and top Mocatra club member was Trev Huckstep who drew the dog kennel and had great compensation when he included an 11-14-0 carp in his net to take the KPM trophy and the £100 bonus for the best carp in his 47-13-0 net. Third place went to another Mocatra member Charlie Johnson with a 39-0-0 mixed bag. Charlie, who caught steadily all day, is firing on all cylinders this year and is currently heading our club championship.
   Last year’s champion, Graham Dack along with Freddie Sykes, Billy Mariner and Joe Fashola, all won their sections with over 30 lb bags, while M.Wheeler, H.Groome, G.Eales, M.Hood, P. Wiltshire, R.Kimber, M.Coogan and J.Whittick all picked up brown envelopes for second and third in their sections.
   Top Dial-a-Cab driver was J. Donovan with 23-1-0, top Com Cabber was F.Sykes with 33-8-0 while the Mountview top man was B. Mariner with 30-4-0. Top junior was J. Dillon with 0-11-0 who, after picking up his brown envelope, was asked to draw the winning peg for the lucky draw. Out pops (74) lucky winner Gary Eales, who walked away with a 14" Panasonic Teletext TV. Well that's another year over and a good day that was well run and well received by all who took part.
   Finally, we must say a big thank-you to our sponsors, Aubrey and Co at Dial-a-Cab and Keith Marder and his crew from KPM, who, along with their sponsorship, also turned up to try and win it back. Only joking Keith! Thanks also to Doug Sherry (MBE), Heathrow and Mr. Terry Burgess (Burgess Garage).
Thanks to all from Mocatra.