 | Organisers of August Bank Holiday weekend's Evesham Angling Festival, one of UK river angling's longest running and most popular events, have confirmed it will go ahead this year. A statement posted online by Evesham DAA, the venue's control ling club, and replicated on the festival's facebook |
page, outlined a structure for qualifying rounds and the big weekend itself to proceed with safe social-distancing measures and weigh-ins.
Key points include:
• All ticket bookings to be made online at www.scorefishing.com and paid in advance, priced £30;
• No invitees at the Festival weekend's matches. All anglers must qualify;
• Bloodworm and joker banned at al l matches, including the team Final;
• All prize monies to be paid out via BACS transfer.
The announcement polarised opinion among the match community, many supporting the club's strategy as a way to keep the currently unsponsored festival alive during a year in which cancellation was long feared.
But others have slammed the move, some even predicting that the 'no invites, no bloodworm' rule will be its death knell.
Two major match figures with vast experience and past success in the Evesham Festival - Mark Downes and Dave Harrell - hold differing opinions.
"So, no bloodworm at Evesham this year. Shame. The team match was always a great spectacle, with good catches al l down the length.
"Now it will be eels, a few bream, peg 34 for chub, and generally trying to catch 1lb for good points," said England and Sensas Starlets manager Mark.
"I know we live in strange times. Hopefully this is a one off and the big names and bloodworm will be back next year. If not, it could be the end of an era. I will still try to qualify, but I know the weekend's sport will be very difficult," he added.
Dave countered: "Many local anglers and ex-regulars have turned their backs on the venue in recent years.
"In light of there being no sponsor, I think that everyone having to qualify now is the right thing to do."
• All ticket bookings to be made online at www.scorefishing.com and paid in advance, priced £30;
• No invitees at the Festival weekend's matches. All anglers must qualify;
• Bloodworm and joker banned at al l matches, including the team Final;
• All prize monies to be paid out via BACS transfer.
The announcement polarised opinion among the match community, many supporting the club's strategy as a way to keep the currently unsponsored festival alive during a year in which cancellation was long feared.
But others have slammed the move, some even predicting that the 'no invites, no bloodworm' rule will be its death knell.
Two major match figures with vast experience and past success in the Evesham Festival - Mark Downes and Dave Harrell - hold differing opinions.
"So, no bloodworm at Evesham this year. Shame. The team match was always a great spectacle, with good catches al l down the length.
"Now it will be eels, a few bream, peg 34 for chub, and generally trying to catch 1lb for good points," said England and Sensas Starlets manager Mark.
"I know we live in strange times. Hopefully this is a one off and the big names and bloodworm will be back next year. If not, it could be the end of an era. I will still try to qualify, but I know the weekend's sport will be very difficult," he added.
Dave countered: "Many local anglers and ex-regulars have turned their backs on the venue in recent years.
"In light of there being no sponsor, I think that everyone having to qualify now is the right thing to do."
Source: Angler's Mail
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