Micky's Pembrokeshire
page revision date :
Great day out for disabled anglers
Coaches from the Pembrokeshire Anglers’ Association played their part in ‘Pembrokeshire Fish Week’ as they invited people of all ages with a disability to try to catch a sewin, brown trout or even a salmon at their special disability stage on the Western Cleddau at Treffgarne Gorge.
In a superb setting, with the Anglers able to use their excellent log cabin in case of bad weather, there were participants from STP School, Portfield Adult Centre, wheelchair users who were able to utilise the specially-created concrete platform, and others who wanted to try their hand at angling – but the sun shone throughout and great fun was had by all.
Ian is an inspiration for wheelchair users
It was perhaps appropriate that one of those available to provide expert help was Ian Phillips, a former footballer with Goodwick United, who uses a wheelchair after a motor bike accident 20 years ago. Ian was a member of the Welsh Disability Angling team for a decade and told us,
“I have been involved in angling for a long time and love to see others in wheelchairs give it a try with the Pembrokeshire Angling Association. If anyone with a disability wants to take up angling then they can log on to our website at Pembrokeshire Anglers Association and get stuck in.”
Delight for Mark and Bernard
There was real delight for Mark Harries and Bernard Peters, of STP School, as they marked their first-ever try with a rod and line to catch a small brown trout each, which was then carefully placed back in the river to grow bigger! Their school pals and helpers were equally delighted and clearly enjoyed their new experience.
Warm welcome from Eric and John
Anglers’ Association chairman Eric Williams, who had helped organise the event, said,
“We really do enjoy this special day and I am grateful to all who turned out, with thanks to our coaches like Peter Tadman, Paul Austin and the rest who have coached our guests.”
John Pilcher, the Association’s president added,
“We are eager to spread the word that angling is enjoyable and so are doubly delighted to have the company of our friends today. We also have Wolfscastle School and the local scout group who use our facility on the Cleddau – and welcome others who would like to benefit from its careful use.”
** There was a set-back for the Pembrokeshire Anglers Association because on the previous Tuesday evening they had 12 spinning and six fly rods, plus reels, stolen from their secure storage at their Treffgarne Gorge headquarters. These are used for the community’s benefit and it is hoped that if anyone is offered a cheap rod for sale that they contact the police to catch the thieves involved. ** 
| 