THERE will be fishing fun for youngsters and many attractions for the whole family to enjoy at a three-day fishing festival in Shipston later this month.
The event will take place at Shipston Sports Club on the London Road between Friday and Sunday, July 24 to 26.
Live bands, a pig roast, a beer festival, stalls and displays will all be on offer and everyone is welcome to this free to enter festival, which this year will be raising money for junior anglers at the club and next year’s festival.
The fishing festival will also be hosting various fishing competitions for both junior and adults, so there will be lots of opportunities to see the sport in action.
The event has been organised by Stuart Fleming from Shipston-on-Stour & District Angling Club, who explained more: “Our fishing festival was set up two years ago to celebrate the 60th birthday of our angling club.
“Due to its success it has now become an annual event. It’s a great way to get the local community together to celebrate fishing and last year the event raised £440 for the juniors anglers at our club and a further £440 went to two local charities.”
He added: “Our festival has proved very successful in attracting young people into fishing. Two years ago our club didn’t have any junior members and now I’m really pleased to say we have 58, all of which are keen to learn and take part in competitions.
“It’s all about having fun, attracting young people into rural activities and educating them about nature and our local environment.”
This year the junior anglers will have their own space at the event thanks to a new heavy duty gazebo purchased by the Shipston Branch of NFU Mutual – the UK’s leading rural insurer. It will be used for storing equipment and providing refreshments.
Zoe Burrows, branch manager at NFU Mutual Shipston, said: “We were delighted to support Shipston’s Fishing Festival. It’s a great event for the local community.”
In addition to the donation received from NFU Mutual for the fishing festival, Stuart would also like to thank the following supporters: Shipston Town Council, Shipston Sports Club, Bait-Tech, Bloxham Mill Business Centre, North Cotswold Brewery, Shakespeare Tackle, Garbolino, WB Clarke, Angling Trust, Stour Valley Lions, Cotek Papers, Environment Agency, Banbury Gunsmiths, Baileys of Warwick, Alcester Sports and Tackle, Scruby’s Angling Centre, Castaway Tackle (Banbury), Evesham Discount Tackle and K&M Tackle (Chipping Norton).
Ahead of the fishing festival this year, Shipston-on-Stour & District Angling Club is also holding a duck race from Shipston bridge on Sunday, July 19 to raise money for Shipston Home Nursing. The race will start at 2pm and everyone is welcome to spectate.
For more information about the Fish ‘n’ Frolics Festival and the duck race, visit www.shipston-angling.co.uk or telephone Stuart Fleming on 07543 613350.
