Fishing Ban in Bewdley-a Rallying call.

[IanPhillips]

Hi Guys,

 

I come in peace. My name is Ian Phillips, i usually post on Barbel Fishing World as esox and i have registered here specifically to ask for your help.

 

The Wyre Forest District Council and Bewdley Town Council are looking into the possibility of having a fishing free zone in Bewdley Town Centre, in effect a fishing ban.

 

Fishing has already been banned in the town centres of Worcester, Stratford and Evesham and now it seems it’s Bewdleys’ turn. This is all thanks to a complaint from Jan Harrigan at Wychbold Swan Rescue who claims that numbers of Swans are dying of lead poisoning caused by Anglers Lead shot.

We all know that lead shot, which was proved to be the cause of Swan deaths, was outlawed many years ago and I for one don’t believe we are to blame again. There are many possible reasons for the deaths but not one piece of factual evidence has yet been provided. I think it’s time we stood our ground on this one. I spend a lot of time in the area, mainly for the fishing but also for lots of other activities and spend a lot of money doing so.

 

We, as Anglers must do all we can to fight this. Even if this doesn’t affect your fishing now it may well do in the future, even if you live miles away from Bewdley (as I do) and you never fish the River Severn, I call upon all of you, my fellow Anglers, to support the efforts being made right now by the locals.

 

A rally has been organized for Sunday June 22nd in the Town and everybody is invited. If you can’t make the rally, then try and help in other ways. You could support by letting all your friends and family know what’s going on. Why not use the Internet to e-mail all those in Authority, I have and there are many people who are on our side but they need to know exactly how strong our feelings are. Let them know and they will be able to use your opinions. If we just bow down to pressure and give in without a fight then the next ban could well be in your area.

Please do all you can, it’s not just the Severn Anglers’ battle but every Anglers’ battle so come on, get down to the rally and get sending those e-mails.

 

For more information please check here…. http://barbelfishingworld.yuku.com/topic/1...own-centre.html

 

If you would like to let your opinions be heard please direct your e-mails here… http://www.bewdley.org.uk/bewdley-town-cou...ontact-details/

And here… mailto:Andrew.Dickens@wyreforestdc.gov.uk

 

Cheers Ian.

[John S]

I would have been there like a shot, but too far I'm afraid

 

Good luck with the rally though, I hope you get the council to back down on the plan

[Dick Dastardly]

which was proved to be the cause of Swan deaths

 

 

Really Ian? Care to put some links up to relevant scientific reports where ANGLERS lead shot has been found to be the problem and then compare them to the reports showing un split shot to be the culprit?

 

Also why do I keep reading about how we were stopped from using lead? Jeeze we even seem to be hanging ourselves now due to poor memorey.

 

Good luck with your march but I wouldnt hold my breath.

[Dick Dastardly]

Also when we were all emailing/writing to Bewdley Town Council and in particular Jan Harrigan when this story first broke (some time ago now) we recieved no replies and none of the offers to meet and discuss the problem were ever taken up.

[Guest Rabbit]

The Bewdley stretch is a very productive for barbel, and it would be a shame to deny those anglers who enjoy fishing there. But there are also some idiots who give angling a bad name and are very much on public view.

 

However the fact that swans should take precedence over lawful human activity is ridiculous. as much as i enjoy wild life Swans are not top of my list as the most endearing species, in short they are a pain, to man and other wild life, they are aggressive but graceful which captures Joe public idea of beauty.

 

Rather than ban angling why not the hoards of Hells Angels wannabee's that invade the Town every week-end in the summer?

 

if the Town Council want to make the Town more attractive to a wider audience then start here, and not pick on the more tranquil angling.

 

But of course as long as you have councillors and Town Councils who are so far removed from reality and common sense that this situation where one person will have the power to dictate how the rest of us should enjoy ourselves will be repeated throughout the country.

 

Lead shot is not the real issue here..

 

Bewdley is not far from me, I will do what I can.