Reading Angling Action Kicks Off Easter Programme

Joint initiative between the Environment Agency, Reading Borough Council and NACRO

A NEW PROJECT to engage young people at risk of offending by encouraging them to take up angling is organising an Easter Schools holiday programme in Reading. The Reading Angling Action Project is a joint initiative between the Environment Agency, Reading Borough Council and NACRO and has also received £ 10,000 in sponsorship from the local computer company Westcoast. It was formally launched in July last year.

Reading MP and spokesman for angling Martin Salter with the group of youngsters keen to learn about angling

On Friday 7th April a group of young people, aged 10-18 years from the government’s Positive Futures programme, took part in a taster session at Cottage Lane Lakes, near Burghfield and learnt how to catch fish under the supervision of Lee Blundell, the new Angling Development Officer for Reading. Also lending a hand was Reading West MP Martin Salter who is the government’s angling spokesman and a keen fisherman himself.

Martin Salter said:

“Various initiatives around the country have shown that angling is one of the most effective pastimes to keep youngsters off the streets and out of trouble. I’m delighted that we now have our own scheme up and running for young people here in Reading where there are plenty of top quality fisheries for the next generation of anglers to learn the sport.”

The Environment Agency donated £ 15,000 towards the Reading project last year, and a further £ 12,000 this year. Their Fisheries Development Manager Dr Alan Butterworth , said: “Angling continues to be one of the most popular and accessible sports, and has a remarkable record of steering young people away from a life of drugs and crime. We are very keen to be involved with projects such as this which introduces more people to this wonderful life-long activity.”

Cottage Lane Lakes are controlled by Reading and District Angling Association and are situated in Cottage Lane which is off the Pingewood Road, near Burghfield.

Environment Agency Angling Participation Projects in West Area

The recently published Fisheries Strategy ‘A Better Environment, Healthier Fisheries’ states that “research has shown that the main factors preventing people from fishing are ‘nowhere to fish, no one to go with, no information on how to fish and a lack of suitable tackle’. Many people want to fish close to where they live and most live close to or in urban areas”.

• Initiatives around the country have shown how angling can reduce youth crime and school truancy, improve behaviour, educational achievement and generally lift self esteem among those taking part
• Outdoor recreational activities, including angling, have proven health benefits
• Angling is probably the most popular, accessible, and inclusive participant sport
• Around 3.9 million people (nine percent of the population aged 12 years and over in England and Wales) have fished in inland waters in the last two years. An equivalent number say they would like to take up the sport
• There are substantial benefits for society and the economy in both rural and urban areas with nearly 4 million anglers spending around £ 3 billion a year on the sport

Why is the Environment Agency Involved?

• We have a statutory duty to enhance the social value of fishing as a widely available and healthy form of recreation
• As part of this, we have a local target (Local Contribution) to increase participation in angling leading to increased sales of rod licences by 2% each year
• We have a commitment to provide 3500 angling opportunities in Thames Region to newcomers to the sport in 2006/07

What are we doing in West Area?

• In the last two years, we have delivered over 2500 angling experiences to people over 65 different events in West Area, in conjunction with 32 external partners. We have planned to contribute a further 1200 in 2006/07
• 95% of these were juniors. Disabled people, disadvantaged and ethnic groups were also represented in this number
• We have put 12 local anglers forward to undertake the Sports England Level 2 Angling Coaching Course to promote angling tuition further in West Area
• We have part funded and appointed an Angling Development Officer in Reading in conjunction with Reading Borough Council, who will work in the local community to promote angling. We have an agreement in place for a similar post in Swindon. We also have a target to have Angling Development Officers in post covering Oxford, Banbury, High Wycombe and Aylesbury over the next five years.

Mike Hill
Fisheries Team Leader
West Area – Thames Region

April 2005