Some of the top names in Angling and Shooting turned out this week to thank Labour’s Parliamentary spokesman Martin Salter for his work on behalf of both sports. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the Angling Trust, and the Salmon and Trout Association jointly organised a dinner in the House of Commons in honour of Mr Salter. The guests included wildlife film maker Hugh Miles, angling author and Times columnists Brian Clarke, Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies and his Conservative Shadow and Newbury MP Richard Benyon and Charles Walker MP (vice chair of the APPG on Angling).
Martin Salter said:-
“I was really quite touched that so many people went to the trouble of organising what was a really lovely evening for me. Since becoming parliamentary spokesman for Angling and Shooting in 2002, I have done my best to ensure that both sports have had a strong and effective voice in the House of Commons. I’m particularly proud of Labour’s Charters for Angling and Shooting which I drew up in 2004 and which set the benchmark for others to follow. I have also worked hard to bring the various angling bodies together to present a united front to Government Ministers.
He added:-
“After the General Election I shall be spending some time in Australia and New Zealand writing, travelling and sampling some of the superb fishing that is available Down Under before returning to the UK next February.”
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust, said:-
“Martin has been a stalwart supporter of angling during his time in office. He has raised issues with Ministers, led Parliamentary debates, written strong letters, organised angling summits, hosted party conference receptions, set up the All Party Angling Group, chaired meetings and presented trophies at charity fishing matches, all for the benefit of the sport. He was a driving force behind the unification of angling which led to the formation of the Angling Trust in 2009. Without his efforts, angling would have far less recognition and support within both Parliament and Government. The country’s 3 million anglers should be grateful for his efforts on our behalf. Martin Salter will be a hard act for anyone to follow.”
Christopher Graffius, Director of Communications at BASC added:-
“Martin Salter has been an excellent spokesman for shooting and angling and has gone to great lengths to engage with the issues faced by shooting and to champion our cause in Government. Everyone who takes part in shooting owes him a debt of thanks and we wish him well for the future.”
(L-R, back row) Richard Benyon MP, Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Mark Lloyd, Paul Knight, John Slader (S&TA), Leon Roskilly (NFSA), Charles Walker MP.
(L-R front row) Hugh Miles, Brian Clarke, Martin Salter MP, Sue Miles, Simon Clarke (BASC), Christopher Graffius.
