Death of Bathampton AA stalwart

7:56am Sunday 6th July 2008

GRAHAM Biles, vice-president of Bathampton AA, has died.

He has served the club and local angling for over 45 years as, in turn, committee member, general secretary, chairman and vice-president. He was the mainstay of the club during his years as secretary and this was followed by a true devotion to its well being in the following years.

Club spokesman Dave Crookes said: "All the tasks he completed were vast in number and for the club's benefit; and all this despite difficulty in walking and continual pain as a result of illness in his early years, all of which were borne without complaint.

"It was his immense strength of character, total devotion to Bathampton AA and support from his wife, Jean, that saw him through.

"In addition to his administrative skills, he was a keen coarse angler with many successful days, especially at his beloved Hunstrete. He was also an accomplished fly fisherman with Blagdon being his favourite trout venue, from where he landed his fair share of limit bags.

"It was too easy to forget his physical problems as he was always involved with swim-clearing and netting parties and was as keen as anyone when it came to actually going fishing.

"An illustration of his determination came when the club had the fishing on the Warleigh bank, opposite the Manor Field. The access was so steep that it was just as difficult going down as going back up - and carrying tackle.

"Anyway, Graham insisted on accompanying Mike Jones and Malcolm Murfet one day despite repeated warnings about the very steep hill. However, Graham saw this as a challenge.

"The fields were covered in dense fog when they arrived but they set off and, inevitably, became separated in the fog. Mike and Malcolm started shouting for Graham and received a whistle in reply, through the fog.

"When they eventually found him he was stuck in mud up to his knees, unable to move. They managed to pull him out and made to return to the car and take Graham home. But he wasn't having that and insisted on going fishing; so they did.

He must has been totally knackered but there was no way he was going to miss a day on "his" Avon. That was the mark of the man.

"Graham Biles was a great servant to Bathampton Angling Association and will be sorely missed by all his friends.

"Our condolences go to his wife Jean, and all his family."