www.Angling-Projects.org.uk
Angling Projects has over the last few years gained an
enviable reputation throughout the UK as the best facility
for young anglers in the country. This facility is open to
all schools, youth centres, scouts and specialist youth/need
groups.
Their primary aim is to
offer angling and conservation courses to groups of between
8 to 22 youngsters, including children at risk, at our
purpose-built centre in Welley Road, Wraysbury, Berkshire.
All facilities and educational courses are entirely FREE
The
Start
Angling Projects first came about in 1976 through the
efforts of
Les Webber and the both
now deceased Tom Francis and Jack Ashford. It was then known
as the Special Projects Group and its principal aim was to
educate youngsters in the art of angling and at that time
could only hold angling education courses on borrowed lakes
and school halls. The late Jack Ashford, a great supporter
and founder member, was then the LSA manager and he allowed
the use of LSA venues for one day angling courses free of
charge.
In 1988, through the efforts of Terry Catliffe (a Director
of RMC and Leisure Sport Ltd.) Angling Projects was given
the use of the old Kingsmead sailing club house and lake
next to the RMC gravel workings at Wraysbury. After much
repair
funded by the founder members
and a name change to Angling Projects,
they had
their
own facilities and started educational courses for
youngsters, with the support of local tackle shops who
donated fishing tackle and bait
.
1988
was also the year
they adopted
the slogan
"GETS KIDS HOOKED ON FISHING NOT ON
DRUGS OR CRIME" and started a lasting
relationship with the Metropolitan
,
Thames Valley Police and local schools. At first only
a 100 or so children were catered for but today
they have around 2,000 youngsters
visiting the centre every year, they come from all over the
country and from varied, complicated and difficult
backgrounds. Their stay can be one or seven days.
Disaster struck in 1990 when mindless vandals torched the
centre to the ground, needless to say
they did not have insurance and with only £240 in the
bank the future looked very bleak, but with only will-power
and a strong desire to give children at risk a secure
environment
they made the decision
to rebuild the centre. Second-hand building material came
flooding in and people started to send donations after they
had read about
the tragedy in
local papers. Today
they have a
purpose-built centre and the envy of many an organisation
all built by the Angling Projects Team
, a
fantastic achievement!
Aim
To make kids aware of the dangers of taking or handling
drugs of any kind.
To Achieve This
By giving youngsters an alternative and enjoyable
environment that fosters a reflective view of their lives,
gentle persuasion of the dangers of drug abuse and by
getting them to write about their fears and aspirations.
Aim
To reach a greater number of children at risk.
To Achieve This
By close association with police youth projects and
community run special need groups.
Aim
To get more children interested in fishing and conservation.
To Achieve This
To run one-day beginners’ courses for groups of youngsters
between the ages of 6 – 16.
Aim
To teach a few basic domestic skills.
To Achieve This
To give youngsters task responsibilities, whether it is
cleaning, washing-up or cooking, at the centre.
