2021 – Fishing for Forces

10 January 202228 April 20222021

Dec 1st FFF Annual Lunch at RMAS

Held at such a prestigious venue our sincere thanks to the excellent organisation of the military personnel and the catering staff I have to say that the FFF lunch was a resounding success.

The pre-lunch Tour was to say the least enlightening with three resident RMAS historians giving in depth lectures on each room visited and the historical items therein. It was eye opening, and they each held everyone’s attention with every word.

Lunch was held in the Indian Army Memorial Room and the beauty of the room from the Coloured cut glass windows depicting conflicts around the world over many years, to the flags and mementoes on all four walls held everyone in awe. A short very informative lecture on the history of the room was given by Mr John Archibald who has been the “Gatekeeper” at Old College for more years than he will admit and his knowledge of RMAS and Old College was incredible and widely applauded.

The catering was excellent, and the Raffle and Auction raised over £12,000.00 thanks to the generosity of the guests and the artful auctioneer Neil Freeman.

The event was closed with a moving and stirring speech by Lt Col Martin of life in the army and his service of 30 years plus was received with a standing ovation.

Our most genuine thanks again must go to the Military personnel for such a warm welcome and their superb handling of an invasion of a 100 plus civilians and the catering staff who insisted that nothing was too much trouble.

I woud like to take this opportunity of wishing all Supporters, Mentors and Friends of FFF a belated very best of the Festive season and My sincere wish that 2022 be your year for getting all you wish for yourselves and those who share your world. FFF is your charity and without your superb support it would not exist and those who receive your support are always extremely grateful and their smiles say it all.

My best thoughts to you all Always.

Bill Howell

FFF Founder

21 October 202122 October 20212021

Sept 29th AAC Training Regiment – IMTECH DAY

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The day started with a group of guests from the 2^nd (TRG) AAC Training Regiment, Army Aviation Centre at Over Wallop. A mix of veterans and new recruits under the guidance of Cpl Horseman who organised the day for them. The usual Scoff and H&S review and intro to Mentors was promptly followed by a rush to the waterside with comments like” I want to get some of this” and “that big one is mine” left me in stitches. The enthusiasm to try something new was great to see especially when the jostling for position near fish accompanied by a few ungentlemanly remarks caused laughter up and down the bank. The first fish caught was followed by “I was after that one” and the reply was something akin to a reference to large Bullocks in the adjacent field. At least I think that what he said.

The weather was not too kind with a strong wind making casting a test accompanied by a sharp drop in temperature. That said, they continued to persevere, and fish came to the net at regular intervals. The Mentors did an excellent job when the fish went off for a while as they do and they focused on casting techniques and several guests were soon casting unaided, so their dedication paid off and to several guests cast, hook, and land a fish brought applause from all at the waterside.

Numerous fish were hooked and lost which is usual but those in the net were all over plate size and would feed a family well. Lunch was an excellent meal accompanied by loud ribald discussions between mentors and guests of fish bagged, lost and techniques that could have been used and it was obvious all thoughts of work had been left at base which gave me a quiet sense of pride.

Angling is simple and is widely recognised by the medical profession as a superb therapeutic aid to those who for whatever reason have high stress levels and those who cannot take part in contact sports.

We must give our sincere thanks to the Sponsor for the day Imtech Technical Services who have supported FFF for several years, the Mentors for dedicating their time and the Meon Team, Greg and Co for the Fish, Hospitality, and an excellent meal.

Engraved Tankards for the winners were awarded to;

Biggest Fish of the day that weighed 3.8lbs and went to Cpl Horseman (Mentor Phil Penberthy).

Biggest Bag of the day consisting of 4 fish that weighed 11.12lbs and went to Cpl Thorne (Mentors Mike Edwards & Steve Cupples)

I was extremely priviliged to receive a beautifully engraved paper weight from the lads (see pic), a very useful gift as I am often snowed under paperwork and it will stop the paper ending up on the floor.

As usual a lot of happy smiling faces upon departure even with the odd blank but that is why it is called Fishing not Catching and the same question was asked by guests “when is the next one”.

At FFF we will do our best to organise as many events throughout the year to make sure we get as many of our wounded, serving and veterans to the waterside.

Another successful day according to the guests. Mission accomplished.

Bill Howell (Founder, teaboy , dogsbody etc)

30 September 202130 September 20212021

In Memory of Roy Weston. Angler, innovator and all round inventor. Sept 2021.

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In late October 2020 I was contacted by a lovely lady Roy’s wishing to donate a large amount of end tackle accessories to FFF from her late husband’s estate.

It transpired that her husband Roy was an incredible inventor and entrepreneur and sadly taken from the angling world too early. His innovations on bait pots and floats to my eyes were stunning and he was obviously thinking out of the box with his inventions.

His son kindly sent pictures, and everything was perfectly boxed and packaged containing several thousand items and he advised me when going to collect their generous donation to take a big van. To give you a snapshot of the stupendous donation I took a short wheelbase transit and upon arrival I was stunned by the volume of over 200 boxes so two trips were required.

I took a friend with me and Roy’s wife, son and daughter were kindly on hand to assist with the loading on both occasions and could not have been more helpful, so we managed to put it all in store to plan dispersal completely FOC to veterans’ clubs and others who would benefit around the country.

In 2021 an FFF ambassador and angling / shooting entrepreneur was just starting up and as he would be travelling nationwide for his business so he offered to assist us with dispersal and took half the volume to dispense for us to those he felt would benefit. To our surprise over the following months generous donations came to FFF from the recipients totalling £1700, a substantial boost to FFF funds allowing us to hold more events at the waterside for our wounded, veterans and serving members of HMAF in the future

In conversation with a good friend Les Webber (MBE. He should get the Bar as well) of Angling Projects, who for many years has done wonderful things at his lakes with numerous charities, needy children, and wounded members of HMAF, expressed an interest and when he saw the items said he would find homes for a good portion of the remainder. So FFF on behalf of the Weston Family donated a van load (see pics) that I know Les will put to very good use for the benefit of so many.

FFF has also donated a serious portion to several veterans fishing clubs, and more are earmarked for angling clubs like SADAC who do great work with kids and veterans regularly throughout the year.

Our heartfelt condolences go to the lovely family of Roy Weston for their loss, but Roy’s memory will live on for a long time with such a stupendous, generous and a far-reaching donation.

From all at FFF and many nationwide we thank you and it has been a privilege to assist in your quest to allow so many to share Roy’s genius.

Bill Howell

A Very Humbled Founder of FFF.

12 July 202110 September 20212021

July 22nd Meon Springs Day

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July 22^nd 2021 FFF Guest day

Venue Meon Springs

A blistering day welcomed our mentors and guests from HCMR to the waterside. An air of “what have we signed up for” among the guests was evident for a short while until they saw the trout cruising up and down then it was “how do I get one of those on my table”.

The day started with the usual welcome of drinks and scoffing of sausage rolls followed by and H&S resume and casting basics. One could feel the interest mounting and the desire to “get into it” was palpable so mentors were introduced and paired with their charges and fishing began.

Numerous comments between the guests such as “you look the part twit” to “that big one is mine” kicked of the banter and it did not stop especially when a fish was hooked and lost causing a great relaxed atmosphere among the guests and mentors alike. The fish were fairly obliging, and the mentors did a cracking job with several guests banking fish to be weighed in quickly so now it was “game on”.

Pleasingly there were a high number of “naturals” in the group of guests, and they picked up the basics of casting a fly very quickly so the mentors with them stood back and only made comments when they had a tangle of lost the casting rhythm for a short while.

Without exception all the guests were totally focussed on taking home an engraved winners’ tankard and the continuous flow of questions regarding the flies being used, their origin and the best way to fish them ensured that the rapport between mentor and novice was at the highest level one could wish for.

Lunch was a superb cold platter with my favourite of Pavlova with cream for desert laid up by the excellent skills of the lady chef in the barn and the plates and tables were cleared in record time. Cold and hot drinks were supplied all day courtesy of the fishery so yet again Greg and his team kept their usual high standards of care for all involved.

I am pleased to say several of our guests have decided that they want to take up the sport by getting their own kit which FFF will help to facilitate and be on call for any advice they may need in the future.

The usual “when is the next one” was the favourite question followed by many others of where to fish and how to get kit and a licence. The handshakes and “thank you’ s” at days end tells me that we have got the agenda right and the mentors did their usual Sterling job so I am certain we will see many of them at the waterside in the future.

Trophies were presented by Lt Col Martin and Lt Col Williams went well and garnered smiles all round.

Winners

Biggest Fish at 4.4lbs was Tpr Williams. Mentored by Pauline Pendle.

Biggest Bag at 9.13lbs was Tpr Izgard. Mentored by Steve Cupples.

Screaming Reels to all and on to the next one with pleasure.

Bill Howell. Founder

12 July 202110 September 20212021

July 17th Fishing For Forces annual Cast & Blast.

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July 17th Fishing For Forces annual Cast & Blast.

Venue Meon Springs Trout Fishery

Another spectacular event with such sterling support from all the participants.

A very hot day did not bode well but the trout did oblige if you stalked them or waited quietly in the shade to “dink” a passing trout as many competitors did. The usual banter was evident throughout the day and comments from a blanker when the shooting part started such as “bring the gun back with you and I will shoot one of the buggers” sent ripples of laughter around the lake.

A superb auction mastered by Neil Mundy and a generous number of raffle tickets sold took monies raised to a more than respectable total of nearly £4000.00 on the day, taking into account the limited numbers we were permitted due to Covid restrictions. A portion of monies from this fund raiser paid for 10 members of HCMR to enjoy a day at the waterside on July 22^nd (more on that in the next newscast) so participants should pat themselves on the back for that.

As ever Greg and his team at the fishery did us proud with lots of fish to go for and an excellent pre auction lunch putting everyone in a celebratory mood after a difficult day.

I most am pleased to say the ladies were well represented with Joan Russel flying the FFF flag as she never misses an event taking time out of her busy workload and travelling hundreds of miles to support us and several competitor’s lady partners joining in.

Phillipa Mason took the Smallest fish prize (looks over 3lb to me). A great achievement as a relative newcomer to trout fishing.

Steve Vine took Biggest Fish with an 8Lb plus.

Nigel Newport took Biggest Bag with an excellent weight and a tribute to his fishing skills.

Rob Chamberlain took Top Gun with a blistering clear 25 clays despatched.

I had the distinct pleasure of presenting the prizes alongside Neil Mundy who did a Sterling job of organising the Auction prizes and auctioneering and for sourcing a very respectable number of great Raffle/ Auction prizes with many superb and desirable fishing days among the lots.

A sincere and genuine thanks to all who came to take part and assisted when needed and we now move on to taking more of our Wounded to the Waterside with these monies raised.

Screaming reels and I look forward to seeing you all at the waterside again soon.

Bill

FFF Founder

17 March 202115 June 20212021

March 2021 FFF Update

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FFF Update March 2021

Well now, we seem to be moving towards a few restrictions being lifted which is in a way good news. The bad news is it is a wait and see situation especially for the schools, pupils and teachers and the NHS. Very sadly in my locality a school opened Monday and was closed by Wednesday when 8 pupils tested positive on the first day. The really bad news is there is now a question mark over the validity of the test results so again it is wait and see but we must keep a positive attitude on all that has been achieved.

The message here is that it is too soon to drop our guard much as we want to as there are still too many people ignoring the guidelines which will probably lengthen the time it takes to get complete control of this virus. The NHS Front line workers are still under tremendous pressure and I do not wish to add to it by becoming another statistic due to selfishness.

Yes, let’s get out and mix where possible but I for one am still keeping my distance no matter how much I want to hug a relative or friend and seriously want to get groups of those members of serving in HMAF and veterans back to the waterside but regrettably too many Mentors and the MOD consider it a little too risky and I respect their concerns so I shall have to wait.

We have however been able to get a few out individually but the coarse fishing closed season is upon us now but thankfully a few trout fisheries are opening so we will continue with individual outings where feasible.

Please checkout the Events page as we have two important great fun Events for all Covid permitting.

Stay safe, stay well and enjoy this precious small taste of freedom until we can all move around with impunity.

My best thoughts to all who support FFF, families and friends and the public as a whole as I feel it will not be too long before we can get back to doing what we love.

Bill Howell

Founder.