The air around Tewkesbury Junior Anglers is absolutely electric! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of purposeful activity, a period of immense growth, and a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with shared passion. It feels like we're riding a wave of positive momentum, forging powerful alliances, and meticulously laying the groundwork for a season that promises to be brimming with exciting opportunities for our young anglers and the wider Gloucestershire community.
We're so proud of the progress made, and we’re bursting to share all the inspiring news with you! Though our club bears the name Tewkesbury Junior Anglers due to our beautiful waters being situated in Tewkesbury, our aim is to reach out and benefit young people across the wider county.
A significant part of our recent focus has been on the often unseen, yet utterly crucial, work that strengthens the very foundations of our club. We’ve dedicated considerable time and thought to meticulously crafting and refining our internal policies. This diligent work ensures that Tewkesbury Junior Anglers operates with the highest standards of safety, inclusivity, and effectiveness. It’s about creating an environment where parents can feel completely confident and where our young members can immerse themselves purely in the joy and challenge of fishing, knowing they are in a secure and supportive space.
Our commitment to providing the best possible angling education has led us to an incredibly insightful collaboration with the Angling Trust's Reel Education programme. This isn't just about teaching the mechanics of casting a line; it's about instilling a deeper understanding, a respect for the aquatic environment, and an appreciation for the rich heritage of angling. Partnering with Reel Education allows us to tap into a wealth of best practices and innovative resources, ensuring our coaching sessions are not only skill-based but also truly engaging and profoundly educational for every young person who joins us. It’s this dedication to individual development that has also seen us spend valuable time this past month working one-to-one with several young children, tailoring our approach to their specific needs and watching their confidence and skills blossom with that personalised attention. These focused sessions are incredibly rewarding and highlight our commitment to nurturing each child's angling journey.
Furthermore, we are immensely proud and deeply moved by our growing involvement with CCP (Caring for Communities and People) and their vital 'Keep it Reel' mental health programme. We have always believed in the quiet power of angling – the unique way it soothes the mind, encourages patience, and connects us with the natural world. The tranquility of being by the water, the gentle focus required, and the quiet sense of achievement that comes with a successful catch can be incredibly therapeutic. This special collaboration with CCP allows us to more consciously and effectively champion these profound mental wellbeing benefits, offering a positive, calming outlet for young people across Gloucestershire and highlighting angling as a mindful, restorative escape in today’s often hectic world.
The spirit of collaboration is a powerful force, and our enduring relationships with the esteemed Birmingham Anglers Association (BAA) and the invaluable Canal & River Trust (C&RT), particularly through their brilliant 'Let's Fish!' campaign, continue to flourish and inspire us. By joining forces, we share not just knowledge and resources, but also a collective passion for opening up the world of fishing. Together, we amplify our collective ability to introduce more people, especially youngsters from all walks of life, to the simple wonders of angling and the serene beauty of our precious local waterways.
Every club, at its heart, thrives on the energy of its people and the resources it can muster to pursue its mission with vigour. With this in mind, we’ve poured considerable effort into preparing a comprehensive funding application for Gloucestershire Funders. This detailed proposal outlines our ambitious vision for the future of junior angling in Gloucestershire, detailing our plans to expand our reach, enhance our programmes, and create even more opportunities for local children to connect with this wonderful sport.
And on that note, we have some truly monumental and joyous news to share! We are absolutely ecstatic, and incredibly grateful, to announce that Tewkesbury Junior Anglers has been guaranteed a significant equipment grant from the NHS! While the funds are yet to land in our account, this confirmation is a genuinely game-changing development for our club and, most importantly, for the young people we serve throughout the county. This generous future grant will empower us to invest in a fantastic range of new, high-quality fishing tackle and essential safety equipment once received. Imagine more rods in more hands, better quality gear making learning easier and more enjoyable, and an altogether enhanced, safer experience for every single participant. A truly massive and heartfelt thank you goes out to the NHS for their visionary support and for recognising the profound value that community initiatives like ours bring to the health and wellbeing of young people. This promised grant is an investment in joy, in skills, in confidence, and in connection – thank you, NHS, for this wonderful commitment!
Of course, our ambitious plans and growing activities are powered by people. The heart of Tewkesbury Junior Anglers is, and always will be, its dedicated team. We are now actively and enthusiastically seeking passionate, community-minded individuals from across Gloucestershire to join our committee and our incredible team of volunteers. Perhaps you're an experienced angler with wisdom to share, or maybe you have a knack for organisation, a flair for fundraising, or simply a genuine desire to give back to your community and help young people discover their potential. Whatever your skills or background, if you have some time to spare and a heart for our mission, we have a meaningful role for you. Your involvement can make a tangible, lasting difference in the lives of local children. Please do reach out if you feel a spark of interest – we’d be thrilled to chat about how you can become part of our angling family!
And speaking of our amazing volunteers, a particularly big, heartfelt shout-out goes to all the wonderful individuals who have already come forward to offer their invaluable help for our upcoming Get Fishing Event on June 7th! Your enthusiasm, your willingness to give your time, and your commitment to making this day special for the children are what truly bring these events to life. We are so incredibly grateful for each and every one of you – you are the unsung heroes!
The countdown is now well and truly on for that very event – our flagship Get Fishing Day on Saturday, 7th June, set against the beautiful backdrop of Uckinghall Pool (in the Tewkesbury area)! The entire team is buzzing with energy, meticulously checking every last detail. From ensuring all our current equipment, and soon-to-be-bolstered future stock thanks to the guaranteed NHS grant, is ready for action, to finalising volunteer rotas and detailed safety briefings, we are leaving no stone unturned. Our goal is to create a day that is not only fun and educational but also perfectly safe and unforgettably magical for all our attendees. The anticipation is palpable!
Our commitment to our vibrant Gloucestershire community extends far beyond the riverbank. This coming Saturday, May 31st, you will also find the Tewkesbury Junior Anglers team proudly present at Newent Memorial Hall. We’ll be there to enthusiastically support the inspiring Louise Williamson at her fantastic small business funday. Louise is a true local champion, tirelessly working and raising funds for her invaluable shop, Munchkins Baby Shop. Munchkins is so much more than just a retail space; it’s a lifeline, a sanctuary, and a vital support hub for new parents throughout our area. It offers affordable baby essentials – from the smallest dummies and softest clothing to prams and cots – alongside a compassionate, listening ear and crucial, practical support during what can often be a joyful yet overwhelming time. Louise has skilfully created a cornerstone for the local baby community, ensuring that families have access to everything they need without facing prohibitive costs. We are full of admiration for her dedication.
We’ll have our colourful Tewkesbury Junior Anglers stall at the funday, where we’ll be delighted to share information about our club, our upcoming events, and how you can get involved in the angling fun. And, for the little ones (and indeed, the young at heart!), we’ll be running an exciting treasure hunt for the bargain price of just £1 a go, with some great little prizes to be discovered! We wholeheartedly encourage you to come along to Newent Memorial Hall this Saturday, May 31st, show your support for the incredible Louise and Munchkins, browse the other fantastic local businesses showcasing their wares, and of course, stop by and say hello to us!
The energy, dedication, and sheer passion flowing through Tewkesbury Junior Anglers right now is truly inspiring. Every single policy refined, every partnership carefully forged, every piece of vital funding gratefully anticipated, every one-to-one session patiently delivered, and every community event attended with enthusiasm is a deliberate step towards achieving our core mission: to share the profound and simple joy of angling, to actively promote wellbeing and mental health, to nurture a lifelong respect for nature and our aquatic environments, and to build a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community for the wonderful young people of Gloucestershire.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being part of our journey, for sharing our excitement, and for believing in the power of community. Keep an eye on our updates for more news, event photos, and inspiring stories from the riverbank!
Tight lines and the very best wishes to you all,
The Entire Team at Tewkesbury Junior Anglers
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