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HEROIC DAD TELLS OF RIVER SEVERN RESCUE DRAMA IN BEWDLEY

29/9/2020

Hero Steve Bull, right, with his dad Dave by the River Severn where Steve rescued a woman from the water.

An heroic Brierley Hill dad has told how an early morning fishing session in Bewdley turned into a dramatic river rescue after he spotted a woman in the water.
Self-employed electrician Steve Bull had just been setting up at Blackstone Farm with his dad Dave for a morning by the riverside just after 6am on Friday

August 21 when he noticed a woman floating downstream in the River Severn.

He said he saw a person's "head bobbing up and down" and instinctively stripped off to dive into the water.

Steve, aged 31, who has a 10-month-old daughter, said he didn't think about the dangers - he "just acted on human instinct".

Once in the water, which he said "wasn't as cold" as it could have been, he swam out to the middle of the river and, no longer able to touch the bottom, he managed to grab hold of the woman - thought to be in her 50s - and drag her back to the side of the river.

Steve, from Moor Street, told the News: "I couldn't get her out of the water itself. Dad got a rope so she didn't go anywhere."

After around 20 to 30 minutes in the water, Steve managed to raise the alarm and call the emergency services.

West Midlands Ambulance Services Hazardous Area Response Team attended the scene, off Stourport Road, along with two ambulances and two paramedic officers and they managed to pull the woman, believed to be from Wales, from the water.

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FISHING COMPETITIONS CAN GO AHEAD WITH NEW COVID-19 GUIDELINES COMING INTO FORCE.

10/9/2020

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Fishing competitions can go ahead – but please follow the guidelines...
With new Covid-19 guidelines coming into force on Monday limiting gatherings to no more than six people, the Angling Trust wishes to reassure match

anglers and organisers that competitive fishing will still be permissible provided our best practice guidelines are followed.
You can download the guidelines for coarse, sea, game and lure match fishing on the Angling Support Hub: https://anglingtrust.net/covid-19/#competitionanglers

We would also like to remind all anglers to fish safely and avoid spreading the virus by following the Angling Trust’s guidelines for individual anglers, clubs, fisheries, coaches, guides, ghillies and charter boats. https://anglingtrust.net/covid-19

Jamie Cook, Angling Trust CEO, said: “Angling was the first sport to resume participation following the lockdown and the first to return to competition as a result of the work the Angling Trust undertook in providing clear and safe guidance.

“Anglers and organisers must now redouble their efforts to ensure that they comply with that guidance. We must ensure that fishing remains a safe, permitted activity by playing our part and maintaining the high standards of best practice we have set ourselves.

“Fishing has delivered enormous benefits to millions of people post lockdown and the Angling Trust will continue to ensure that anglers can practice their sport safely and angling remains part of the solution to people’s wellbeing and not a cause of problems.”
The Angling Trust will continue to review the Government’s written guidance as it is published and update our guidance to anglers, fisheries, clubs and competition organisers accordingly.

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FUNDING FOR ANGLING PARTICIPATION AVAILABLE

8/9/2020

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A new round of Environment Agency funding will support the Angling Trust to get more people fishing, more often. The Environment Agency has contributed £23,000 in this round of funding.

Since the Angling Improvement Fund was launched in February 2015, fishing licence income has helped fund more than 500 angling projects worth an estimated £5.6 million, creating, or safeguarding tens of thousands of angling opportunities in England.

Now, the Angling Trust is inviting applications from a wide range of angling providers including fishing clubs, commercial fisheries, charities, and local authorities seeking funding to run fun, safe and friendly angling participation events that will encourage more people to give fishing a go, or get back into angling.

Subject to available funding, awards up to £500 will be considered where the applicant is able to provide a comparable amount of match-funding (i.e. cash, voluntary time, or a mixture of the two).
Angling Improvement Fund Participation Awards must be used to fund projects to recruit new or lapsed anglers, awards can be used to pay for items that will be used to run an angling recruitment event such as

Tackle and basic angling equipment
Consumables such as bait etc.
Cleaning and hygiene equipment e.g., hand sanitiser and face masks
Social media promotion

The easing of lockdown restrictions on 13th May has led to a huge demand for angling, especially among families who want to get outside this summer and re-connect with nature after months indoors.

Clive Copeland the Angling Trust’s Head of Participation commented on the fact that many angling organisations need support to run participation events which embrace the current popularity of angling. Clive said “This opportunity is great news for anyone who wants to help boost angler numbers – the funding comes from the Environment Agency which is reinvesting fishing licence income in angling, and helping to provide even more opportunities for people to experience angling in a safe and positive way outdoors, in nature. What’s more, you do not need to be an Angling Trust member organisation to apply.”

Kevin Austin, Fisheries Manager, Environment Agency, said: “We are always looking to invest in our angling community and that’s why we have used the income from the sale of rod licences to provide further funding to help grow this fantastic sport.

“The increased interest in fishing over the summer not only proves people are rediscovering its benefits, but allows us to invest more in our fisheries and the service we offer anglers. We hope that these new projects will encourage more people to give fishing a go!”

Because money distributed as Angling Improvement Fund awards comes from the sale of Environment Agency’s non-migratory trout and coarse fishing licences, projects already receiving funding from the National Angling Strategic Services Contract, projects outside of England, primarily supporting salmon and sea trout angling, or sea angling organisations are not eligible to apply.

Funding can also be used to train angling coaches where the coach will play a direct role in recruiting anglers or getting more people to go fishing again.

The deadline for applications is noon on 28th February 2021.

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YOUNG SHROPSHIRE ANGLERS HOOK NEW EQUIPMENT THANKS TO GIVEAWAY

7/9/2020

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Shrewsbury Town Fishieries head bailiff Gary Doddy gave away angling equipment to youngsters

Youngsters have hooked some new fishing gear thanks to a club giveaway.
Shrewsbury Town Fisheries gave young anglers several bundles of equipment to help as they progress, kindly donated by adult members.

Tom Perring, from the club, said: "Our Mousecroft Pool was well attended for the tackle giveaway for youngsters, which included large bundles of fishing gear, that had been kindly donated by anglers around the Shrewsbury area.

"Head Baliff Gary Doddy gave the fishing gear out. He had also organised the big giveaway. More will be happening and regularly for the local community.

"We are continuing to generate our good work for the community, not just within the angling community but also outside of it, which has resulted in some fantastic partnerships and relationships for both anglers and non-anglers.

"We would like to thank everyone who attended, alongside those that donated for such a great cause.
"If anyone is interested in supporting the initiviate, please contact Shrewsbury Town Fisheries."

Source: Shropshire Star

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VOLUNTEER BAILIFFS SAVE LIFE OF MAN TRAPPED UP TO HIS CHEST IN MUD AND WATER

4/9/2020

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Area Co-ordinator Vanessa Warner (Right) and fellow volunteer bailiff Steve Allen (Left)

Two Angling Trust volunteer bailiffs on the lookout for illegal activity at a river in Northampton rescued an elderly man stuck in mud and up to his chest in water.
Area Co-ordinator Vanessa Warner and fellow volunteer bailiff Steve Allen had stumbled across a pair of trainers and a

dog lead at the top of a steep bank when they heard a commotion in the thick reed beds below.

Beating a path through the overgrown weeds and nettles, Vanessa and Steve peered over the reeds and were amazed to find the grey-haired chap unable to free himself from the riverbed and with water up to his chest.

He told the pair he had been trying to free his nine-year-old dog who had become trapped in the reeds when he fell from the bank into the water. He had been in the water for about 30 minutes when the volunteer bailiffs found him and was feeling very cold.
Vanessa and Steve kept the man calm as they lay down across the nettles to grab hold of his leather belt. After a few attempts they were able to free him sufficiently to enable him to scramble out of the water to the safety of the bank.

With the man still worried about his dog, Vanessa and Steve then freed the tired, scared animal from the reeds further downstream.
Concerned for the man’s welfare, Vanessa and Steve suggested they call an ambulance, but he declined saying he just wanted to get himself and his dog back home and promising to seek medical assistance later if needed.

Vanessa, a recent recipient of an Angling Trust Volunteering Excellence Award, said: “Somebody must have been looking out for this man because no-one really goes down there. Being on a VBS patrol probably saved this man and his dog. He was so very tired and cold when we got him out.”

Steve said: “If we hadn’t been there at that time, there could easily have been a totally different outcome as he was in a really difficult situation with no chance of getting out on his own and totally hidden from view.”

Vanessa and Steve had been patrolling the river after a local resident had told them they had seen “something odd happening” in a very rural area known locally as Mill Lane, a river that runs from nearby Pitsford reservoir and through Northampton before joining the River Nene.

Mill Lane is a remote area that has very few visitors with the steep banks very overgrown. Despite this, both Vanessa and Steve were able to locate illegal crayfish traps and set lines along one of the banks, tied to electrical wiring, nylon washing lines and old ropes hidden by undergrowth.

None of the eight traps they found had otter guards attached but one contained a small pike which was safely returned to the water. It was while continuing their search on the opposite bank they stumbled across the man and his dog.

The Voluntary Bailiff Service is part of the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service and is funded from fishing licence income as part of the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Environment Agency.

Paul Thomas, Angling Trust Regional Enforcement Manager for the East of England, said: “This sort of action by our valued volunteers serves to further prove just how much of an asset to the rural community our Voluntary Bailiff Service actually is. People think that we deal only with fishing related matters but, as demonstrated by Vanessa and Steve, being the rural community’s eyes and ears along our watercourses means that our volunteers are able and willing to react to a wide range of situations.

“On this occasion, Vanessa and Steve have disrupted serious illegal activity and saved someone’s life. I commend them for their awareness and have no doubt that their prompt actions saved the lives of both the gentleman and his dog that day.”

Karen Hinson, Angling Trust’s National Volunteers Manager, added: “Well done to Vanessa and Steve for their heroic action that day, another example in a growing number where our volunteers have potentially gone above and beyond to help others. Whilst I am extremely pleased that everyone involved came away relatively unscathed from this incident, I think it also serves as a reminder of how hazardous our waterways can be even at this time of year and the caution that is required particularly when alone.”

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BENNETT IS BACK-TO-BACK FISHOMANIA CHAMPION

1/9/2020

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Andy Bennett Winner of Back To Back Fish'O' Mania 2019 & 2020

Andy Bennett became the first angler to successfully defend his FishOMania title when he won Saturday’s £50,000 match at Hayfield Lakes, Doncaster with 40.1kg at the end of a gripping afternoon of fishing. In what was one of the most exciting afternoons FishOMania has enjoyed, the lead changed hands four times before Bennett took

command in the second half of the match. Luke Sears, one of the early leaders, maintained the pressure at the top with a 5.3kg ninth weigh, while Bennett had nothing, meaning the defending champion had a lead of less than 3kg with 30 minutes to fish.

However, with 15 minutes remaining Bennett brought in a sizeable carp which looked likely to be enough for the match and proved to be just that at the final weigh as Bennett took the title with more than 6kg more than runner-up Sears, who completed the afternoon with 33.850kg in his bag.

“It feels amazing,” said Bennett. “I am absolutely over the moon. To win FishOMania is amazing, but to defend it is unbelievable.
“It was quite a simple match really; I had one short and the rest on a bomb. I didn’t think it was going to happen. I had a good run in that fourth hour, got myself back into it and said to bank runner Paul, anything can happen. With an hour to go I thought it would be quite simple and then it stopped going around; that’s bomb fishing for you. It made that last 40 minutes a bit nerve-racking because I couldn’t get a bite on anything.

“You can’t catch them if they aren’t there and there has been some fish in the deeper water and they have settled here and it has been my day and I’m absolutely made up.
“I’ll be back next year and hopefully I draw another good peg because three in a row would be some going!”

Sears took the £10,000 prize for coming second, while Lee Farmer came third and collected £2,500 as one of three section winners. Three-time FishOMania champion Jamie Hughes, who lead early in the match, won section three while Chris Lane was the section one winner.

FISHOMANIA 2020 TOP FIVE

Andy Bennett (Peg 10) 40.100kg
Luke Sears (Peg 9) 33.850kg
Lee Farmer (Peg 19) 32.250kg
Jamie Hughes (Peg 15) 28.870kg
Chris Lane (Peg 4) 27.400kg

SECTION WINNERS:
Section 1 (1-6): Chris Lane (27.400kg)
Section 2 (7-12): Andy Bennett n/a
Section 3 (13-18): Jamie Hughes (28.870kg)
Section 4 (19-24): Lee Farmer (32.250kg)

SARAH TAYLOR IS FISHOMANIA NXTGEN CHAMPION

Sarah Taylor won the FishOMania NXTGEN title with 17.93kg thanks to a big second half of the match at Hayfield Lakes, Doncaster.

John Light Junior on peg two had a huge opening hour, weighing in at just over 12kg after 60 minutes. He remained top of the leaderboard until the very end, but Taylor began her offensive with over 7kg in the third our and a further 6.35kg in the final quarter of the match.

Taylor, who was FishOMania Ladies champion last year, changed her tactics during this year’s competition to claim the £2,500 NXTGEN title.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” she said. “After winning the Ladies last year, it’s surreal to win NXTGEN this year.
“I was behind until the last hour. John Light Jnr did really well in the first hour so it was a catch-up game really but I have been really lucky and there has been a big stamp down my edge.
“Last year I caught skimmers long, but this year I started short with a bit of bomb and pellet fishing out long and with this kind of peg fished the edges.

“I owe Andy my bank runner a treat with the money, and my parents as well. The goal is always to qualify for FishOMania. It has been my dream for years and having two titles is surreal; even last year hasn’t really sunk in. I can’t put it into words.”

FISHOMANIA NXTGEN TOP FIVE:

Sarah Taylor (Peg 6) 17.925kg
John Light Jnr (Peg 2) 14.750kg
Zak Worby-Smith (Peg 1) 10.450kg
Josh Newman (Peg 4) 8.725kg
Will McCranor (Peg 8) 8.625kg

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HEROIC DAD TELLS OF RIVER SEVERN RESCUE DRAMA IN BEWDLEY

FISHING COMPETITIONS CAN GO AHEAD WITH NEW COVID-19 GUIDELINES COMING INTO FORCE.

FUNDING FOR ANGLING PARTICIPATION AVAILABLE

YOUNG SHROPSHIRE ANGLERS HOOK NEW EQUIPMENT THANKS TO GIVEAWAY

VOLUNTEER BAILIFFS SAVE LIFE OF MAN TRAPPED UP TO HIS CHEST IN MUD AND WATER

BENNETT IS BACK-TO-BACK FISHOMANIA CHAMPION

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