Reels on Wheels held its 3^rd annual festival at the Peterstone Coarse Lakes in South Wales, ( www.the-birch-syndicate.com ) which is part of the Walnut Tree Farm Park complex. ( www.walnuttreefarmpark.co.uk )

The fishery is run by Martin Cronin who is a staunch supporter and Patron to Reels on Wheels.

Friday was a busy day at the fishery with members of ROW arriving from all over the country and setting up bivvies and numbering the swims ready for the 2 fun matches to be held over the next two days.

Over the next few months the fishery is going to undergo some major changes and will become one of the top venues if not the top venue in Wales. They will cater for all anglers and wheelchair anglers will be able to use the day ticket waters with ease and in safety.

The event saw 22 anglers take part in the festival which is a very light hearted affair and is open to able bodied anglers and less able alike….it’s all about bringing anglers together.  Tackle was moved around for those who needed help and everybody mucked in.

On the Saturday before the draw Dave Gawthorn ( Patron to ROW ) took time out of his busy schedule to pay us a visit and held a Q and A session which was much appreciated by all and he then posed for a few photos with members of ROW.

Saturday evening saw everybody sitting down to a BBQ and a few drinks and a cake which had been made by one of the members’ wives, the cake was fantastic and had Reels on Wheels Festival 2010 written on the top ( I have already begged  her to make one for the 2011 festival ).

On the Sunday Mat who was helping out in the lodge and who is also a staunch supporter of ROW got up earlier than usual to get to the lodge to prepare early breakfasts for some of our anglers as the Sunday match draw started at 8am ( The breakfast served at the lodge is the best in Wales ) so a massive thank you goes out to Mat who also runs the Welsh Carp forum.

I met a guy called Terry Theobald who has been an angler all his life and has just written a book called “ Well and Truly Hooked “.  Terry donated one of his books which was auctioned off at the festival to raise funds for the organization, and Terry also agreed to join the list of Patrons for ROW.

Thank you Terry for the book and for becoming a Patron.

Match Results…

Saturday…Wandering Angler Cup

1^st Steve  Emms    with 35lb. 13ozs

2^nd  Gary  Castle   with 26lb. 5oz

3^rd Kevin  Watkins  with 26lb 1oz

Sunday Result…ROW Cup

1^st David Pooley   with  35lb. 11oz

2^nd  John Blears  33lb.9oz

3^rd Steve  Emms   with 25lb.6oz.

The Festival was a great success and has brought anglers together from many walks of life, able bodied and less able/disabled and has united them with one thing in common…and that is Angling. When I see people like Dave Gawthorn just to mention one, standing next to an angler giving them help and advice and when I see people with disabilities you can’t see, helping others, it makes everything I do so very worth while.

The list of Patrons is growing and I am always on the look out for new people to add to the list. I know how busy people are but all I ask from a patron is that when possible they mention Reels on Wheels and shout about what we do and why, and where possible give up one day a year to attend an event that’s convenient for them to attend.

Because the list of supporters is growing I won’t mention them here but if you would like to see who gives tackle, bait etc for prizes you can find them on our website under “Supporters”