Festival Report 2011

2011 saw the 4th Festival for Reels on Wheels, which we held at Peterstone Coarse Lakes in South Wales thanks to Martin Cronin fishery manager and Phil Scrivens the owner.

Friday saw a hot sunny day and I guess 80% of the anglers turning up, to set up ready for the weekend. Bivvy city was soon in place and by late afternoon the buddy bus had arrived and was parked in the middle and would become the hub of the festival.

Once all the bivvys were up and the bus in place people started gathering for an evening of catch-up and meeting new supporters who had joined us for the first time from the Kent and Southeast DAA. I think it’s fair to say that the star of the evening was Chris from Mrbaits boilies and Dean his boilie chef and sidekick. They were both on form and kept us all amused with their banter.

For somebody who said he didn’t drink I think Chris (holding the bottle) and Dean behind, did very well.

Saturday morning saw the arrival of Trevor from Snowlands fishery down in Par, Cornwall and he set up a small stand with caps, badges and details on a holiday caravan at his fishery. Also all anglers were instructed on the lake rules and then Ben Hervey-Murray (Patron) did a question and answer session which was fun. Then the draw took place for the Saturday Match which is for the Wandering Angler Trophy.

During the Saturday match, Dave Gawthorn (Patron) arrived, which was unexpected as he had only got back from Germany early hours of Saturday morning. Dave walked round the lake a couple of times speaking to people which was well-received, so a massive thanks to Dave for being there.

Once the match was over and the fish had been weighed, the task was then to get the BBQ underway, several people helped out on this and I think everybody had enough food to get them through the night.

Sunday morning saw myself and Kevin up early and we had both packed our bivvys and stuff before anybody else appeared…a lesson we learnt from previous years was to do this so that once the event was over we had very little to do before setting off home.

The weather was overcast and looked like rain but everybody was in high spirits. Alas, one or two were feeling poorly due to their disabilities and decided that they should set off home; this seemed to start a chain reaction and sadly saw all the guys from Kent head home.

The draw took place and as we started the match it began to rain, but we sat it out and by just after mid-day, the weather brightened up and by the end of the match saw most of our stuff dry again.

Once all fish had been weighed the results were worked out and it was time to start the prize giving. The first award given out was to be the Memorial Shield we had done for Steve “Bluey” Robinson. Steve was the 3rd member to join Reels on Wheels when I first started it and stuck with us showing his support in many different ways and we thought it fitting that we as an organisation remembered him. I had spoken to his family about the shield and they had driven down to present the shield themselves which meant a great deal to me and to Reels on Wheels. The shield will be fished for at a special event, but for this first time we thought it fitting that it go to somebody who had contibuted something special in helping Reels on Wheels. Now many people do stuff and are always there when we need help, but we decided to give to somebody who had not been a supporter but had stepped up without asking any questions when he was asked for help. Jim Williams and I are fishing the Midland Carp Masters and needed a bait sponsor, we are also fishing the massive World Carp Classic in France and needed bait for that….when Chris and Dean from Mrbaitsboilies heard he stepped up without even asking how much bait we need so the Shield was presented to them.

Shield presented by Steve “Bluey” Robinsons daughter

So the results from the saturday match which was the Wandering Angler are as follows

In first place was Merv with 34lb 14oz, second was Steve (Hipflask) with 28lb 2oz and in third place was Kevin with 25lb 14oz

Sundays match saw the same 3 anglers in the top 3 places but in a different order. Kevin in first place with 30lb of fish followed by Merv in second with 12lb 8oz with Hipflask in third with 11lb 13oz.

Hipflask won the biggest fish with a carp of 10lb 12oz and Kevin won the biggest combined weight of the weekend with 55lb 14oz

The pairs match, which is a match within the 2 matches, was won by Kevin and Claire, and for Claire this was the first time she had won a prize for angling, so well done to you Claire, and of course, Kevin.

The booby prize, despite its name, isn’t awarded to the worst performer of the weekend, but to someone who has made a special contribution to the weekend in some way or another. Claire presented this to Dave Pooley who always helps others before himself.

The Festival was the best yet and I have a list of people to thank, which I will do in a couple of minutes….from the raffle, small auction and donations on the day we raised £645, and as soon as Claire lets me have the total from entry etc I will update this and put the grand total on the ROW forum and on facebook.

So now for the thanks…

Steve “Bluey” Robinson’s family for coming down and presenting his Memorial Shiled to the first winner.

Phil Scrivens – the owner of the lakes and farm park

Martin Cronin – Patron, fishery manager and great friend

Matt – who looked after us all and kept the teas and breakfasts going for us in the Lodge

Ben Hervey-Murray – Patron, who spent the weekend with us and presented the prizes.

Dave Gawthorn – Patron, who despite being very tired, turned up to chat to people.

Trevor from Snowlands Fishery

Don Robins from Drake Automotive Services Ltd who donated £100

All those who donated items for the auction whom I will list in a separate post, as there are a few of them.

Chris and Dean from Mrbaitsboilies who are now also patrons to Reels on Wheels.

All those who turned up and took part.

A special thanks must go to Rosie my wife, who supports me in everything I do and who helped form ROW with me and puts up with me going away.

Last, but not least, Claire, who once again did a fantastic job of putting the whole festival together. So thank you to you all for helping make Reels on Wheels what it is today and let’s continue to make it grow.

Thank you all!

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