Reading West MP Martin Salter, Labour’s Parliamentary spokesman for Angling is backing the Environment Agency’s drive to get more people fishing this week.
Mr Salter, who is also the Labour Party’s Vice Chairman for the Environment will be at the first of two free angling days being held by the Environment Agency at Beale Park, Pangbourne, Berkshire next week on 21 and 22 August.
Following on from the success of last years event, when more than 200 people of all ages experienced the thrill of fishing, the Beale Park event aims to give everyone the opportunity to learn new angling skills.
The angling days take place on Tuesday 21 August and Wednesday 22 August between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Mr Salter will be joining anglers of all abilities on Tuesday morning, but people can turn up at any time on either day to have a go.
Qualified angling experts from the National Federation of Anglers will be on hand to give people short one-to-one tuition sessions and children who attend will receive a £2 reduction on their entrance to Beale Park.
Fisheries officers from the Environment Agency will have educational environmental displays and will also be organising supervised pond-dipping sessions where youngsters can learn more about water-life.
Mr Salter said: “Anglers are the eyes and ears of the waterside environment and it is important that we encourage the next generation to take up the sport and learn to value clean rivers and lakes where wildlife can thrive. Young people can gain so much from involvement in outdoor pursuits such as angling.”
Tom Sherwood, a fisheries officer at the Environment Agency, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mr Salter to this event, as it raises the profile of these angling days.
“Angling is a fantastic pastime as it gives everyone a real chance to get close to nature and learn about the wildlife that lives in and around our rivers and lakes. Angling is a healthy activity which can become a rewarding hobby for life.”
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