Fabulous Fishing Festival attracts record numbers
Shipston Angling Club’s annual Fishing and Entertainment Festival weekend, Fish’n’Frolics, was a great success, with a number of new members joining the angling club and a fun time being had by all.
Record numbers of children and young people queued up to try fishing on the river with licensed casting coach, Angus Campbell, with many given free fishing equipment donated by sponsors Bait-Tech, The National Fishing Month and The Environment Agency.
Visitors flocked to the Environment Agency’s Marquee to see a large tank full of coarse fish and live video link into the river showing fish swimming by. In addition to the fishy fun, children enjoyed fairground rides, a giant slide and trampolines, while parents tried their hand at Laser Shooting and maggot racing.
The Sports Club and restaurant marque both reported record attendance numbers. Friday night’s main band ‘Zool’ was supported by Chloe Hanks and Chris Wright. Saturday night’s live band J.E.E.P supported by local band ‘Me, Him & The Others’ went down very well. The closing evening on Sunday featured a spectacular sound and light display by Shipston based company, Clearsound Productions, set to the sound of Stratford band ‘Off The Grid’. Hundreds of people made the most of the warm evening and the dancing and chatting continued until late.
The competition:
The Fish ‘n’ Frolics Festival was attended by 33 competitive anglers. The overall winner was Andrew Whieldon who came first on two days and second on another.
The river matches produced a number of double figure weights over 10lb whilst Aston Magna Lakes produced 40 to 50lb weights for the top anglers.
Town Mayor Philip Vial, Bait-Tech representative Hayley Goldsmith, The National Fishing Month’s Naidre Werner and Dave Harrell, local angling professional, presented cash, fishing tackle and bait to the winners, donated by sponsors Bait-Tech, Stratford Angling shop, Alcester Tackle shop. Banbury Gunsmiths. Baileys of Warwick, Castaways, Evesham Discount Tackle and K & M tackle to Andrew and the top ten anglers.
The Mayor also presented fishing tackle prizes to six children who attended coaching sessions at Aston Magna Lakes and came top in a junior match. The overall junior winner was Megan Harris.
The Festival was launched the previous weekend when four Duck races were held at Willington Bridge. The launch event was well supported by the local community and organisations, resulting in £440 being raised for Shipston Home Nursing and Fight for Sight. Mayor Philip Vial presented the cheques on the Sunday of the main festival.