KWACS is the acronym for Keadby Wildfowling And Conservation Society which was first conceived in early 1993. After being members of two local clubs for several years my younger brother and I discussed the possibilty of forming a new wildfowling organisation. We felt that more could and should be done to promote wildfowling to the general public. We approached friends we knew would be interested and with their much appreciated help the society was formed. The inaugural meeting was held at the home of one of our friends in May 1993. A comprehensive set of rules had been drawn up using our own experience, BASC guidelines and the rules and constitutions of organisations we'd all been involved in. These were ratified at the meeting and a draft copy sent to BASC with our application for affiliation, the society were accepted by BASC in September 1993. The society then applied for affiliation to the South Humber Area Joint Council of Wildfowling Clubs affiliated to BASC and were also accepted. Thanks to this affiliation to the SHAJC our members enjoy some superb wildfowling on two good stretches of the south bank of the river Humber on Englands' east side.
KWACS aims are :-
Although an informal organisation the society are governed by a strict set of rules. We now have a healthy membership but are always willing to consider applications for membership from interested persons. The society caters for junior membership as well as adults but insist for safety sake that the juniors are accompanied until they reach the age of 18. KWACS hold meetings on the first Monday of the month and this is where the informal approach can be clearly seen. The members are not just people with a similar interest but are a group of friends and as such any disagreements regarding rules, policies etc are usually discussed amicably and settled within minutes to the satisfaction of all the members present. The rules are ammended as and when considered necessary by mutual agreement after sometimes lengthy discussion among the society members. KWACS feels that all members should contribute their input to any decisions which affect the society in general although a 6 man committee of elected officials deals with disciplinary and membership matters.
KWACS have a limited number of membership vacancies, if you wish to apply for membership for the 2008/2009 season we are willing to consider applications from prospective members. The applicant must fill in an application form and return it to the secretary, please e.mail the author with your postal address and an application form will be forwarded to you. Potential members will be required to supply two written checkable references from two of the following groups :-
Landowners or farmers who's land the applicant has previously had permission to shoot over.
Wildfowling organisations which the applicant may have previously been a member of.
Employers with whom the applicant has been working for a reasonable length ot time.
Game syndicate captains or shoot owners who are personally known to the applicant.
Clay shooting club officials, managers or owners.
Target shooting club officials, managers or owners.
Checkable character references are acceptable in the case of new licence holders.
The applicants referees will be contacted and providing that the applicant is deemed suitable for membership an interview will be arranged for a mutually convenient date and time. Any applicant attending an interview will be required to bring with them their current valid shotgun certificate and BASC membership card where applicable. NB :- ALL members of KWACS are required to join the BASC if they are not already a member, this is a condition laid down by the SHAJC/UHWC who are the governing organisations on the wildfowling areas over which we shoot on the Humber.
After the interview has been conducted the applicant will receive an official letter within a short space of time informing them of their acceptance or otherwise. To avoid embarrassment to either party the letter will not state any reason for refusal of membership should that be the case.
Meetings take place monthly on the first Monday of the month at 8.00pm promptly, the exception being the AGM in April which begins at 7.30pm. Members are asked to attend 4 meetings per annum held local to Scunthorpe. In most cases unless there is urgent business to discuss the secretary sends out a monthly newsletter informing the members of any new legislation, relevant items of interest e.g. cessation of shooting due to severe weather and news from the SHAJC, BASC and other relevant organisations with which the society is involved. News updates are also posted regularly on this website for those with internet access.
As well as wildfowling the society members also hold occasional clay shoots to endeavour to encourage none shooters into the sport. Vermin control is carried out on several hundred acres but this is strictly by invitation only and a new member could be waiting months or even years before being allowed the privilege of joining the vermin control syndicate within the society. As individuals the society members participate in deer stalking, target shooting, game shooting and clay shooting. Their knowledge of the various branches of shooting are often useful in many decisions affecting the running and general direction the society takes but at the end of the day KWACS will always remain with it's roots firmly planted in it's original conception as a wildfowling organisation.