Angling is one of the world’s oldest sports and as such there is a wealth of tackle, including rods, reels and lures, plus books, photographs, films and much, much more.
But while most other major sports have a national centre, surprisingly, we don’t. There is nowhere where people can view our history, in spite of many attempts in the past to set up angling libraries and museums.
British Waterways is supporting a new initiative by Jon Ward Allen of Medlar Press, publishers of Waterlog magazine. The Angling Collection company includes several well known angling writers including historian, Fred Buller; TV personality and Record Carp captor, Chris Yates; and long established all-rounder, Barrie Rickards.
The Angling Collection is already set up as a non-profit making company and has applied for charitable status. British Waterways is currently looking at sites where a completely new purpose-built museum can be established, but in the short term, space has been offered at the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port.
The Angling Collection needs support from anglers. A membership scheme is being set up which will entitle Friends of the Angling Collection to receive regular newsletters and other information as well as supporting this worthwhile project. The Angling Collection is also keen to make contact with people with particular areas of interest who would like to play a more active part in setting up the collection.
If you’re interested e-mail Steve Griffiths of British Waterways.
