Seen in The Daily Express today

[Guest Ken L]

They've deleted everything again and for some reason I keep getting an IE failure message whenever I try to re-post.

Have they managed to code us out of the site or do I have a local problem with my PC ?

[Guest Ken L]

No, just got in again.

Not much of a post, but then, it's not likely to stay for long.

[Guest lofc]

I thought they would delete my Screaming Reels message early on, perhaps they can`t remember it was a fishing programme, still at least it lasted long enough for one or two intelligent posts.

Cheers

Rich

[Guest andy r]

HI

[Guest goose]

Hi all

I must congratulate you all on the sterling job you have been doing over the Wendy Turner story, keep it going.

As I have mentioned in the past I am a professional press photographer working exclusively for the national newspapers and as such have a number of associations with various press agencies who supply the papers.

 

A couple of days ago I asked one of my guys to try and place the story. Well you will be pleased to know that the following story will appear in tomorrows Sunday Express as the lead story on page 33.

 

TV presenter Wendy Turner has landed herself at the centre of a

bitter battle with Scouts and anglers after she called for the

movement to ban a fishing achievement badge.

 

Wendy, who presents the popular Channel 4 programme Pet Rescue, has

been bombarded by furious anglers after she wrote a letter to the

Scout Association.

 

Now TV bosses have received hundreds of irate letters and e-mails

from sport anglers and former Cub Scouts across the country.

 

The Pet Rescue website has also been inundated with furious letters.

 

The TV presenter wrote to the president of Scouts, the Duke of Kent,

asking him to "retire the Scouts Anglers Proficiency badge on the

grounds of cruelty.

 

But since penning the letter on behalf of the organisation People for

the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Wendy, 33, has faced a

barrage of criticism.

 

Her letter begged the Duke of York to "put the violent pastime of

fishing behind us and teach children to respect, rather than kill

wildlife".

 

But respecting nature is exactly what the Scouts and anglers alike

insist the badge does.

 

National Federation of Anglers spokesman Rodney Coldrone (CORR) said:

"Wendy's comments are completely unfounded and in making them she is

entirely out of order.

 

"Her comments about angling being cruel and references to children

killing fish are completely misplaced.

 

"Nobody in their right mind would stop these scouts from going out

into the countryside, enjoying nature and learning about wildlife.

 

"The Scout badge is about course fishing, which means they are taught

to catch fish, study them, remove the hook properly and return the

fish to the water safely.

 

"The badge teaches children not to be cruel, quite the opposite to what

Wendy is suggesting - the fish are not killed.

 

"There are 3.3 million people in this country who enjoy fishing as a

sport and unless they are fishing for food the fish are returned to

the water unharmed.

 

"We represent 23,000 members who all go fishing for the sheer

pleasure of it and who always return the fish to the waters.

 

"If it weren't for anglers many problems in our waterways, like

pollution, would probably go undetected.

 

"With the Scout badge those taking it learn about wildlife,

waterways, voles, herons, dragonflies and all sorts of things - it is

not about killing fish.

 

"Wendy is wrong in what she writes and we will be writing our own

letter to the Duke of Kent with our concerns about her comments."

 

In her letter to the duke Wendy, younger sister of TV golden girl

Anthea Turner, informs him that "setting out to attack animals...is

not in keeping with the image of Scouting".

 

In support of her letter PETA spokesman Toni Vernelli said: "Scouts

are supposed to be compassionate role models, not blood thirsty fish

killers."

 

Wendy proposed the angling badge be replaced with a Waterway Clean-up

badge with Scouts cleaning out fishing debris from rivers, ponds and

lakes.

 

But the Scout Association is refusing to drop the badge.

 

A spokeswoman said yesterday/today: "We are aware of Wendy's

comments but at this stage we are of the opinion that if the

Environment Agency approve there is no problem with it.

 

"Although it is an angling badge it is not just about fishing.

 

"The badge allows Scouts to explore the countryside, how to behave

around wildlife, water safety, how to spot and report pollution and a

whole host of other things.

 

"The badge is something Scouts and the environment can benefit from

and encourages young people not to be cruel to wildlife."

 

The current Scouts Angling badge was launched in August 1998,

sponsored by the Environment Agency and endorsed by the National

Federation of Anglers.

 

To achieve it Scouts must complete studies and activities in several

categories.

 

They learn about environmental issues, wateside awareness and safety,

fishing techniques - including how to handle a fish without hurting

it - the care and maintenance of tackle, wildlife, pollution, fish

biology and the care of fish.

 

Wendy's agent Nicola Ibison said tonight/last night: "Wendy is not

rubbishing anything the Scouts' badge does to help the environment.

 

"When Wendy wrote that letter she was under the impression the badge

involved catching fish to kill.

 

"If they are caught and returned, that is obviously better than

killing them, but Wendy still feels hooking them is cruel and would

still want that element of the badge changed."

 

ends

 

 

Perhaps we should then e-mail the story to PETA, both here and in the US asking how they can justify having a UK mouth piece who earns a vast salery as a presenter of a TV program which promotes the keeping of pets, which is in direct opposition to their demands for the banning of domestic pets of any kind.

 

Regards & Respect to you all

 

Goose Ganderton

 

Anglers with a passion

http://kentspecialistanglers.moonfruit.com

[Guest dave k]

well done goose

 

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dave kennedy

[Guest ALAN FAWCETT]

3 cheers for that man

 

Thanks for the info Goose i reckon it'll be worth buying the paper for that story

 

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TROGG (Alan)

[Guest Steve Randles]

I passed my angling proficiency badge....long before I started to angle.

 

It is the taking part and being there/understanding that is important for the credits that this "badge" incorporates..

 

 

 

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Tight Lines

 

Steve Randles

 

Anglers Rest

[Guest rondo]

It seems that the cat is loose among the pigeons in regards to Wendy Turner,s comments

there is a further article in The Sunday Express (page 33). Perhaps the paper will now take her down a peg and tell her to keep her mouth shut until she has her facts right

rondo

 

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[Guest paulh]

Just read this thread,and I must congratulate everyone, well done, its good to see anglers unite and act as one.

Brilliant stuff.