 | The Angling Trust is marking this year’s National Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7) by acknowledging the fantastic contribution to our work made by volunteers. This year, 18 volunteers have been nominated to receive |
Volunteering Excellence Awards in recognition of their continued commitment.
The volunteers, members of the Angling Trust’s Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) and Building Bridges Project, have shown outstanding dedication to protecting fish and fisheries and educating and integrating migrant anglers.
Jamie Cook, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal, said: “Volunteers are vital to the work of the Angling Trust and give up many hours of their precious time to benefit angling and society in general. This year’s Volunteering Excellence Awards winners have shown outstanding commitment and I congratulate them all on their achievements. Indeed, I want to thank all our volunteers for the work you have carried out for the Angling Trust. It is very much appreciated.”
The Voluntary Bailiff Service and Building Bridges Project are part of the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service which operates in partnership with the Environment Agency and is funded from fishing licence income.
Local Region Angling Trust Volunteering Excellence Award Winners
The volunteers, members of the Angling Trust’s Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) and Building Bridges Project, have shown outstanding dedication to protecting fish and fisheries and educating and integrating migrant anglers.
Jamie Cook, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal, said: “Volunteers are vital to the work of the Angling Trust and give up many hours of their precious time to benefit angling and society in general. This year’s Volunteering Excellence Awards winners have shown outstanding commitment and I congratulate them all on their achievements. Indeed, I want to thank all our volunteers for the work you have carried out for the Angling Trust. It is very much appreciated.”
The Voluntary Bailiff Service and Building Bridges Project are part of the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service which operates in partnership with the Environment Agency and is funded from fishing licence income.
Local Region Angling Trust Volunteering Excellence Award Winners
Midlands Volunteer Bailiff and Area Coordinator for Shropshire, Chris Wood with police.
Chris Wood, Area Coordinator, Shropshire
Chris has been an Area Coordinator for the VBS in Shropshire for around three years now and has combined his role with that of chair of the more recently formed Shrewsbury Anglers’ Club, which has brought about positive changes to club angling in North Shropshire and built up a number of VBS members.
He takes every opportunity at local club meetings, fishery visits and through his involvement in organising joint patrols with the Police and EA in Shropshire, to spread the word about the fisheries enforcement campaign. He is a reliable person to trust with that message, and as a result of his work around Shrewsbury, he has directly raised awareness and confidence amongst anglers to report incidents, share information and to support fisheries enforcement in the area, which has consequently resulted in a number of incidents being dealt with by the authorities leading to positive results.
Chris is a very pro-active volunteer and is always putting forward new ideas on how to improve the flow of information from angling clubs, one in particular being the use of a WhatsApp reporting system taken up by many fisheries and clubs in the area which has since proved very popular amongst local bailiffs. Its success has been featured in the angling press.
Chris has recently forged new working partnerships with local Police Rural and Wildlife Crime Officers which will clearly benefit the work of VBS, angling clubs and fisheries in the county. This has assisted regional management of the VBS greatly and through this work Chris has shown himself to be a most able coordinator.
Chris has been an Area Coordinator for the VBS in Shropshire for around three years now and has combined his role with that of chair of the more recently formed Shrewsbury Anglers’ Club, which has brought about positive changes to club angling in North Shropshire and built up a number of VBS members.
He takes every opportunity at local club meetings, fishery visits and through his involvement in organising joint patrols with the Police and EA in Shropshire, to spread the word about the fisheries enforcement campaign. He is a reliable person to trust with that message, and as a result of his work around Shrewsbury, he has directly raised awareness and confidence amongst anglers to report incidents, share information and to support fisheries enforcement in the area, which has consequently resulted in a number of incidents being dealt with by the authorities leading to positive results.
Chris is a very pro-active volunteer and is always putting forward new ideas on how to improve the flow of information from angling clubs, one in particular being the use of a WhatsApp reporting system taken up by many fisheries and clubs in the area which has since proved very popular amongst local bailiffs. Its success has been featured in the angling press.
Chris has recently forged new working partnerships with local Police Rural and Wildlife Crime Officers which will clearly benefit the work of VBS, angling clubs and fisheries in the county. This has assisted regional management of the VBS greatly and through this work Chris has shown himself to be a most able coordinator.
Midlands Volunteer Bailiff and Area Coordinator for Worcestershire & Herefordshire, Anthony Wilson
Anthony Wilson, Area Coordinator, Worcestershire & Herefordshire
Anthony has been a VBS Area Coordinator for a couple of years now and goes about his role with great enthusiasm, inspiring others to play their part in local patrols and working in partnership with the EA and police.
He is a highly trusted VBS member and can be relied upon to use his initiative to organise joint patrols with partners at any time, using his experience and local knowledge to great effect in tackling current and relevant fisheries issues.
This has resulted in several excellent results arising from incidents of illegal fishing on the River Avon in Worcestershire that Anthony has reported. His patient observations and careful evidence gathering have contributed to the effective handling of the incidents by EA Fisheries Enforcement Officers despatched to the scene. Anthony is a fine ambassador for the VBS, Angling Trust and angling, liked and respected by partners in the EA and West Mercia Police for his helpfulness, unquestionable support and integrity at all times.
He will always be one of the first to put himself forward to attend training days, meetings, AT forums, inductions, workshops and events despite him having many work and family commitments. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and he always finds time to support the Regional Enforcement Manager and his fellow volunteer bailiffs when called upon.
Anthony has been a VBS Area Coordinator for a couple of years now and goes about his role with great enthusiasm, inspiring others to play their part in local patrols and working in partnership with the EA and police.
He is a highly trusted VBS member and can be relied upon to use his initiative to organise joint patrols with partners at any time, using his experience and local knowledge to great effect in tackling current and relevant fisheries issues.
This has resulted in several excellent results arising from incidents of illegal fishing on the River Avon in Worcestershire that Anthony has reported. His patient observations and careful evidence gathering have contributed to the effective handling of the incidents by EA Fisheries Enforcement Officers despatched to the scene. Anthony is a fine ambassador for the VBS, Angling Trust and angling, liked and respected by partners in the EA and West Mercia Police for his helpfulness, unquestionable support and integrity at all times.
He will always be one of the first to put himself forward to attend training days, meetings, AT forums, inductions, workshops and events despite him having many work and family commitments. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and he always finds time to support the Regional Enforcement Manager and his fellow volunteer bailiffs when called upon.
Source: Angling Trust
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