Ross-on-Wye Angling Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Dreda Darling as its new President.

Dreda is the daughter of the late Major Patrick Darling, of Sellack, who served as a distinguished and much-respected President of the club for more than 25 years.

“Everyone associated with Ross Angling Club is delighted that Dreda has accepted the invitation to become our new President,” said Club Chairman Rob Leather. “As a local farmer she is a passionate advocate of the countryside and has a deep understanding and appreciation of the many issues currently affecting the environmental health of the river Wye.

“We worked closely with Dreda’s late father, Patrick, in recent years, attending campaigns and media events together; the planning for which took place at one of the Committee meetings he attended. His wisdom and proactive nature will be sadly missed by all at the Club.

“We are of course pleased that this strong association will now be continued with Dreda at the helm as President.”

In addition to her hands-on role on the family’s 700-acre farm at Caradoc, Dreda also works with the Wye and Usk Foundation, bringing her practical expertise to roles in the organisation’s Natural Capital and Farm teams.

“I’m very proud to be following in my father’s footsteps as President of Ross-on-Wye Angling Club,” said Dreda Darling. “He was a passionate angler who loved the river and natural world, and I have shared that bond and affection with the Wye throughout my life.  

“I know how hard Rob and his colleagues have worked to help shine a light on the problems of pollution and environmental degradation that have affected the river in recent years. I share those concerns and will do everything I can to support their work and achieve the common goal of restoring the Wye to its rightful position as one of the country’s greatest rivers.”

Dreda has confirmed that ROWAC members will continue to have the opportunity to fish the Sellack Beat of the Wye, owned by the Darling family, for coarse fish, outside of the salmon season.