A look back at the angling year

by angling correspondents Roger Stocks and Stuart Lilley
Roger Stocks: 07733 092237 – Stuart Lilley 07811 923599 – email: roachpole10@aol.com

AS USUAL at this time of year we are taking the opportunity to review the the past year in angling.
In January at the Bassetlaw Sports Awards young starlet Devon Whitworth claimed the Under 14s Sports Woman of the Year award.
We felt that this recognised angling as a worthwhile sport for youngsters of both genders and highlighted Devon’s achievements at both a local and national level.
Sadly February saw the demise of the Retford and District AA, despite the best efforts of long-serving secretary Harold Wells and his wife Mavis.
Harold and the association always supported many good causes including Bassetlaw Hospice, for whom they raised over £12,000.
At this year’s Worksop and District Angling Association AGM, history was made when night fishing was sanctioned at Woodsetts quarry pond.
Also at the meeting long-serving bailiff Freddy Foster was awarded an honourary lifetime membership for his many years of service and shortly afterwards he retired to be replaced by Jason Bergin.
Also in May local rod Graham Slaughter smashed the world carp record with an enormous specimen of 88lb 6oz, caught at the Rainbow Lakes in France.
At the beginning of June we were invited to the annual Worksop and District AA senior citizens match held at Daiwa Hallcroft fisheries and everybody had a fantastic day.
Unfortunately the glorious 16th June proved to be a washout with the majority of pegs being unsafe to fish on the opening day of the river season, with most rivers inaccessible for most of the month.
July saw the second inter-schools match at Daiwa Hallcroft with 120 youngsters casting a line on the day.
This event was sponsored by Focus on Young People in Bassetlaw and was run in conjunction with the junior section of Worksop and District AA.
Fifteen teams took part and Portland took victory.
Later in the summer former Worksop junior and the Worksop-Angling-Supplies-sponsored Matt Godfrey claimed his second Junior World Championship on the River Labe in the Czech Republic, whilst also claiming a team bronze medal.
September saw the sad passing of one of the great characters in angling, Keith Fretwell. His son Steve and friend Gordon Smith ran a memorial match on Keith’s beloved River Trent at Holme Marsh, in aid of the Holme Church Restoration Fund.
Forty-four anglers participated and Dave Padley of Brigg won the day.
On the same day Derek Brown and Mick Pogson of Worksop and District AA presented Fred Brumpton with a silver salver to commemorate his retirement after many years policing the association’s waters at Holme Marsh.
Fred was replaced by Ian Richardson and we hope to see Ian for as many years as Fred put in.
In October Tommy Davenport won the Gateford Angling/Lodge Farm charity match, in aid of the Guardian-nominated Bassetlaw Breast Care.
Finally in November Lynda and Steve over at Lake Side held their Christmas fundraiser for the children’s ward of Bassetlaw Hospital and the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.
All 59 anglers dug deep to contribute £785 with Retford’s Daz Godley topping a quality field.
We would like to thank all club secretaries and individuals who have contributed results and information and wish all our readers a very happy New Year and tight lines.