Children at risk given respite through fishing

Bob Woodley, 64, is an angling coach working part time with the youth offending service coaching children at risk. He holds youth activities in the evenings offering a 12 week course.

He is secretary of Bulkington Working Mens club Angling Section and has been for the past 30 years. The club has its own water at Long Lawford, and boasts approximately 150 members. Bob organises the weekly club matches from April through to December.

Bob says: "I can't think of any better way to spend your leisure time than on the banks of a nice water. (Even the wife has had to join me)."

Youngest Licensed Female Game Angling Coach shortlisted

An angler from who started fishing minnows as a child before trying 'proper' fishing, is on course to win tickets to The Go Fishing Show and potentially being hailed the country's Angling Ambassador.

Lucy says: "I believe I should be an ambassador for angling because of my drive, enthusiasm and sheer passion for the sport. I believe that anyone can fish no matter what your age, race, gender or ability and I feel that it is my mission to promote this."

An angler for over eighteen years, Lucy was first introduced into the sport aged five years old by her father who took her, together with her sister to local rivers to catch minnows with nets.

Expressing an interest in fishing, Lucy and her dad advanced to trout fishing in local still waters and rivers in and around Northumberland.

Lucy adds: "Since then my passion for angling has grown. I have tried all disciplines in the sport and I love it all!"

At twenty three years old, Lucy is the youngest licensed female game angling coach in UK.

Five years ago she established the web site www.fishingforeveryone.com. Originally a website to promote and encourage more people into angling, in particular more females, the site took off almost overnight resulting in a series of award nominations, shortlists and wins.

Lucy also set up a ladies fishing club in April 2008. Within a year the Fishing For Everyone Ladies Fishing Club became a huge success and was developed into an official angling club for ladies. Lucy is now the Chairman of the Club with a committee and membership.

Lucy explains: "The Club holds events regularly all over the UK, primarily the North East, covering all disciplines and we have so far put one lady through her level 2 game angling qualification and two ladies are currently working towards their level 1 game angling qualifications.

"The Club is running a two month programme starting next month with a local school in Alnwick for 16-18 year old girls with not only the hope of getting more younger Club members, but also getting more ladies into the sport... we believe that youngsters are the future for angling. We are also working hard towards achieving Clubmark status."

The Club has made TV appearances both at a local and national level, from BBC and Tyne Tees News to Sky’s Tight Lines programme. Lucy also works full time within the fishing industry at Hardy & Greys Ltd.

She concludes: "There is nothing more fulfilling then seeing people catch their first fish and know that they are hooked for life. As you can see my life is dedicated to angling and empowering more people to have the confidence take up the sport. I would love the opportunity to become an angling ambassador... there is just no other sport on this earth like it."