The Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire and his Executive were very pleased to award Devon’s local branch of the Masonic Fishing Charity £1500 from the Provincial benevolent fund.
The Masonic Fishing Charity’s aim is to bring an interactive fishing and countryside experience to people with special needs.
It achieves this by running fishing events, both coarse and fly and inviting participants with special needs to come and join in. This includes anyone over 11 with mental or physical disabilities, the disadvantaged or those who have suffered trauma.
The Charity provides:
A fisherman or helper for every participant usually on a one-to-one basis. The fishermen will try to involve their charges in all aspects of fishing, to have a go at casting, retrieving, hooking and landing the fish.
Lunch is provided for all participants, helpers and fishermen and usually consists of barbecued burgers, sausages and maybe some fresh trout at fly fishing events! Soft, non-fizzy drinks, sandwiches, fruit and snacks, tea and coffee. A vegetarian option is available on request.
A ‘Certificate of Achievement’ for all participants.
Medals for Biggest Fish, Best Caster, Best Retriever etc., are also often awarded.
Chairman of Devon Branch W.Bro Keith Rigby (Per Mare Per Terram Lodge – No.9355)
“We run around 3 trips per year in Devon, each trip has 12 children from 9 years up. When the Children arrive they have the look of adventure, lots of smiling faces, we try to give them a happy day they will remember. For many of the Children it gets them into a new environment they may not have experienced before. Sometimes wheelchair users attend, and we can get them fully involved from their chair sat by the lake, the smiling faces say it all.”
Dr Reuben Ayres (Asst Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire):
“Watching these special needs children, many with difficult and troublesome backgrounds, calmly absorbed with rod and line in the beautiful and tranquil setting of Upham Farm Fishery was really most uplifting. The members of the Masonic Trout and Salmon Fishing Charity showed great skill and patience in teaching the children the various techniques used to land ‘the big fish’ and the delight on the children’s faces as a large carp was brought out of the water was a sight to behold. A most inspiring morning watching the children growing in confidence and having huge fun. We are pleased to be able to provide some small support for the valuable and highly worthwhile work of the MTSFC.”
During the time we were at the lake there were a number of fish hooked with much excitement (not just by the Children either!)
