Sunday 19th October, 2008

I received the following email recently and, rather than editing it, decided to leave it as is. I’m sure that many of you will understand why, when you read it, and I hope that it inspires some of you to attend.

Elton Murphy – Editor

 

Dear Sirs,

WHEN YOU CLICK ON LINKS TO VARIOUS MERCHANTS ON THIS SITE AND MAKE A PURCHASE, THIS CAN RESULT IN THIS SITE EARNING A COMMISSION. AFFILIATE PROGRAMS AND AFFILIATIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE EBAY PARTNER NETWORK AND AMAZON
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I hope you do not mind me passing this to you, but I thought that you might kindly find a tiny slot especially as so many anglers from the Eastern Counties will be taking part in this memorial event.
 
I would like to pass on some information about the Mark Alsop Memorial match, which I have organised along with his widow Hayley and other friends including Jake Smith of Acton. This match will take place on Great Yarmouth beaches on Sunday 19th October, 2008, with all proceeds going to the local branch of the MacMillan Cancer Care Nursing Charity. On the day of his funeral I asked Hayley if she would mind if we were to stage such a match in Mark’s memory and she has been very supportive. We hope to make this an annual event in his name. I understand that his friends at the freshwater fishing club have also had a successful fundraiser in his name.
 
I have attached herewith a photo of Mark and hope that this may be of some use. Sadly it wasn’t taken with the best of cameras, just a small digital that I always keep with my fishing gear for that special catch and I have saved the image as a jpeg to reduce memory. I have also attached a photo of the trophy for which we will be fishing annually from now on and a copy of the match poster with all the details of the event
 
I first met Mark in the very early days of one of the websites dedicated to east anglian sea fishing and we struck up what became a good friendship almost immediately. Mark was Yarmouth born & bred and at the time he was working for a bookmakers in the town, married to Hayley and with one little girl Shannon. A year or two later they had boy Jordan, who has just started school this month. Local people will remember Mark had just established a successful business as a driving instructor in the town a short while before he was struck down by the cancer that was to take him from us.
 
Mark was a well-loved and respected part of the Great Yarmouth angling scene and enjoyed all forms of fishing. As well as his love of beach-fishing he ran freshwater matches for his local club for several years.
 
When the first Inter Counties Charity Match to raised funds for various charities was fished at Dunwich, Mark skippered the Norfolk contingent. I had the pleasure of doing the same for our inland county of Cambridgeshire and along with many other users of the internet, we both enjoyed putting time and effort into making that a success.  Shortly before he died last year Mark was able to lift the ICCM trophy as Norfolk marked their first win in the event and we raised more than £1300 for the East Anglian Children’s Hospices on the day. Suffolk having won the trophy in the preceding two years.
 
Mark_Alsop_896216074.jpgWe enjoyed many great times fishing together and for those ‘in the know’, the ‘Tinfoil Bass’ at Aldeburgh will live long in the memory as a lasting reminder of the good times. We all enjoyed life in the company of a truly nice bloke and one who is very much missed by all who knew him.
 
During his last few months and as his condition worsened Mark became very weak, but his love of the sport and the sea never waned and we were able to get out a few times during his ‘better’ days.
 
The photo on the poster shows Mark at Lowestoft Ness Point with the last Codling he ever caught and although we got a couple more trips in after that, I shall always treasure memories of that day. The worries about what the future might hold for his lovely wife Hayley and the two children were lifted for a short while and we were able to have fun.
 
Anyone wishing to fish this all ticket event can get them from Derek & Jason Amies at Gorleston Tackle Centre or, by writing to me at Riverside Studio, 38C Nene Parade, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8TD and enclosing payment of £10.00 per ticket all pools inclusive. Cheques should be made payable to J Abbott and the ticket, map of venue and match rules will be posted back by return.
 
Kind regards and thanks for your time.

John Abbott
(The Fenland Artist) for further details see:
www.artworksbybuds.co.uk

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