Essex Barbel

I have mused re my recent return to fishing in my posting LAA and the State of Angling. In that posting, I posed a question re one of the many, many waters the LAA have lost - Pitmore Lock on the Suffolk Stour which was stocked with barbel years ago. Keith Miller has said that he believes a syndicate control it now. Does anyone have a contact? Leaving aside the Stour and The Lea - does anyone have any tips re barbel waters in Essex?

I've heard that Maldon & District Angling Club have a stretch of the River Blackwater which was stocked with Barbel several years ago. Apparently, it regularly produces fish of around 5lb.

Membership costs approximately ?60 per season which includes several other waters. There's no waiting list to join.Unfortunately, I don't have a contact name or telephone number but the club have application forms in plenty of Essex tackle shops.

Thanks James. I have also heard that the Chelmer is stuffed full of barbel in places - although I have no details re size.