Blackcountryfishing
  • Home
  • Where to Fish
  • Species
  • Baits
  • Watercraft
  • Tackle Shops
  • Local Canal Guide
  • Angling Clubs and Organisations
  • Licence and Permits
  • Local Match Results
  • Angling News
  • Angling Events
  • Online Videos
  • A Life In Angling
  • Resource Links
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

THE ANGLING WORLD SAYS GOODBYE TO JOHN WILSON

10/6/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
More than 300 anglers, friends and family members gathered to celebrate the life of angling legend John Wilson MBE in Norwich Cathedral.
John, voted the greatest angler who ever lived, passed away at his home in Thailand in November 2018.

As news of his death spread across the globe, fans, followers and anglers alike paid tribute to the Go Fishing star, and at 2pm on Friday, May 24 all were invited to celebrate John’s life at the stunning Norfolk venue.

A host of recognisable faces filled the impressive cathedral including Des Taylor, Jeremy Wade and John Bailey, before heartfelt tributes were led by Keith Arthur and Martin Bowler – who took to the stand to pay their personal respects to a man loved by so many.

Keith said: “It’s been a privilege to be honouring John Wilson today. He inspired millions to take up fishing through his programmes, which were both aspirational and inspirational. His legend will live on.”

Martin struggled to fight back tears in his emotional speech, as he remembered a lifetime of fishing on the bank with his ‘Uncle John.’

“Many here fished with the great man and even if you didn’t, a favourite angling show or book meant you did in a way because the person I knew was the same person you did.
“I can assure you that the laugh was real and so was the fun because he loved angling and angling loved him. So goodbye John and enjoy the river in the sky. I can hear him now as that longed-for 3lb roach comes over the net – ‘Careful Wilson’!”

Aside from being a superb angler John was also a proud father and his children Lisa and Lee made several appearances on his TV shows.
 
His daughter Lisa gave an emotional dedication towards her dad on the day:

“He was a fishing legend, an author and TV presenter – but more importantly he was a husband, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, father, my dad – my world. Being in his company was something I never tired of, and never would have.
“His passion came out of the TV and enabled other people to spend time on the bank together too – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren. It was a privilege to be his daughter.”

There were also big-name dedications from:

Jeremy Wade: “I only met John a couple of times at angling shows but the impact he had on people and the sport we all love was incredible.”

Des Taylor: “He was larger-than-life and his laugh was infectious – louder than a church bell on some days and he still managed to catch fish! I will miss my mate.”

Chris Yates: “I loved watching his programmes. They were very methodical, and he was great at conveying the message that fishing could be fun and productive at the same time.”

Bob Nudd: “John was always good company and an excellent angler too. More than that, he was the first angling celebrity. Even if they didn’t fish, people knew who John Wilson was.”

Ali Hamidi: “I could write an essay on what this man has done for angling. John had so many wonderful terms and phrases, so many incredible TV moments shared with millions.”

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    ANGLING News Articles

    Picture
    Black Country Fishing

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.