An exciting new event is being launched - The Bexhill Sea Angling Festival is a partnership between Rother District Council, Bexhill Sea Angling Club, Bexhill based tackle business Hook Line and Sinker, the Angling Trust and local businesses who have all been collaborating to stage an angling festival in the Sussex town of Bexhill - on Sea.
The idea was hatched after a campaign against changing bylaws to ban angling on the beaches by Rother District Council successfully persuaded the council that it would be better to promote angling in the town rather than restrict it.
The Festival, set to take place between 15th and 23rd of Septmeber comprises a series of angling matches, beach boat and Kayak, and a two day exhibition of all this fish held on the recently refurbished western lawns of the De Le War Pavilion.
From Left to right Jerry Robinson (Bexhill traders) David Mitchell (Angling Trust), Arthur Freeman (BexhillSAC) Emma Oldham (rother District Council) Councillor Martin Kenward, Tim Macpherson (Sussex Angling Media) Steve Hanks (Hook Line and Sinker)
A press statement has just been issued
"
Major
fishing festival marks town’s angling centenary
NEWS RELEASE 16 May, 2012
The
south coast’s biggest ever celebration of sea fishing has been announced.
The
first ever Bexhill Sea Angling Festival (September 15 to September 23) aims to
provide something for all the family, as well as seasoned anglers.
It
includes five major angling competitions (beach, boat, kayak, specimen hunt and
a bass match), alongside offering free of charge coaching sessions with angling
professionals and a huge exhibition and food area, where members of the public
can purchase fresh seafood dishes and watch top chefs at work.
Organised
by Bexhill anglers and Rother District Council, in partnership with the Angling
Trust, the festival aims to promote angling as a past-time, highlight the
excellent fishing around the Sussex coast and make the link between sustainable
fishing and healthy eating.
The
event came about following discussions with anglers and the council during a
consultation on angling byelaws last year.
Locals
have known about the excellent fishing to be found in the Bexhill area for
many years. The festival hopes to the put the town on the map for anglers
nationally, in the same year as Bexhill Sea Angling Club’s centenary.
However,
the festival is expected to attract more than just competition
fisherman vying for one of the big prizes from the estimated £5,000
fund.
The
Bexhill Sea Angling Festival 2012 kicks off on Saturday, September 15, with a
boat match. The kayak competition follows the next day.
Throughout
the festival week, a hunt for the biggest specimen of several species is being
held.
The
festival culminates on the weekend of September 22/23 with a combination of
fishing matches and a celebration of angling and seafood being held on the
exhibition area, next to the sea.
On
September 22 (Saturday) a pegged beach match will take place which hopes to
attract local experts and the cream of sea angling talent.
Nearby,
the public will have the chance to sample sensational fish recipes and watch
skilled chefs on the demonstration stand, all a stone’s throw from the iconic
De La Warr Pavilion building.
The
next day, (Sunday, September 23) Bexhill’s beaches will hold a tournament for
the species the area is perhaps best known for - the bass. The challenge
will be on to land the biggest bass and claim the coveted cup.
At
the same time, the festival lawns will continue to host cooking demonstrations,
stalls and games to give anglers and non-anglers alike additional entertainment
close to the competition action.
And
throughout the weekend, Angling Trust coaches will be on hand in the ‘coaching
zone’ to assist newcomers to the sport with advice and demonstrations.
Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Angling Trust, said: "As the national representative
body for angling in England, the Angling Trust is extremely proud to be
sponsoring the first Bexhill Sea Angling Festival.
“We are
looking forward to helping to showcase all that is good about recreational sea
angling and the many benefits it brings to Bexhill's residents and local
businesses. Bexhill has a long tradition of sea angling with the Bexhill Sea
Angling Club celebrating its centenary this year. The Angling Trust
hopes that the Bexhill Sea Angling Festival will be the start of another
100 years of sea angling in the town."
Rother
District Council member for tourism and leisure Cllr Martin Kenward said:
“We are delighted to have worked with local anglers and the Angling Trust to
make this festival a reality.
“We
think this could become a major tourist attraction and give a real boost to the
economy. The best of luck to all the anglers who will take part and,
remember, there is a lot more going on besides the fishing matches.”
Bexhill
SAC Club chair Arthur Freeman says of the initiative “We’re delighted to be
involved in staging a festival of fishing especially in the clubs centenary
year.”
Event
sponsors include: Tesco, 1066 Country Marketing, Hook Line and Sinker
tackle shop, Novo Photography, Bexhill Sea Angling Club, Rush Witt and Wilson
estate agents, the Bexhill Observer, Aquamarine Sports, Fladen, Leeda and
Masterline.
For
more information and for details on how to enter the competitions visit www.bexhillseaanglingfestival.co.uk
Major
sponsorship opportunities for the festival are still available. To be
part of the South's biggest angling celebration contact Daniel Collins on 01424
787705 or email daniel.collins@rother.gov.uk"
This event is the first major anglign festival that we can remember being staged in any Sussex town and it represents a great opportunity for angling to raise its profile both in Sussex and beyond.
More details can be found at www.bexhillseaanglingfestival.co.uk or here
