The Surrey Branch of the MFC on 7th May invited 25 disabled and or disadvantaged children and young people with their carers from three schools to spend a day in the country, experiencing fly-fishing each with their own caster for this special event.

This event was not only sponsored by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey but was attended by the Provincial Grand Master: Eric Stuart-Bamford a keen fly-fisherman and a lifetime member of the Charity. In fact it was not only his Province’s day, but his personal day, as lead caster, he and his charge landed more fish than any other of our guests and casters. He netted at least six good sized fish, apart from the normal legendary catches that inevitably managed to get away!

Most of the casters are freemasons and all the organising committee are from various Lodges from within the Province. In order to be a volunteer, it’s not essential to become a Freemason however most are, or soon join. All the funds for these events are raised by donations and raffles that mainly occur in the local Masonic Lodges and other such local fundraising events

Eric Stuart-Bamford as PGM in Surrey and our most senior member is seen here awarding one of our young guests with one of our top fishing medals. Also at the end of each day’s fishing, all our guests are given a certificate of participation. The top anglers of the day all receive trophies as a special souvenir of the event. . (See right) >>

Here’s a great catch that our young caster seen here took home for dinner. Every guest is normally offered one sizable fish to take back as proof of what a good day’s fishing they had.

One of the schools attending was The Children’s Trust and this event was carefully planned with the grateful assistance of their ‘Leisure and Activities Co-ordinator:’ Rosemarie Clithero, whose vast knowledge and experience of organising such events was invaluable. The Trust provides care, education and therapy to children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs and activities have to be carefully planned to ensure the children enjoy themselves in a safe environment.

On the right Eric Stuart-Bamford with his young assistant who’s just been presented with his certificate of participation.

After a couple of hours fishing the children and their carers from the schools attending were then invited to a freshly cooked barb-e-que lunch, followed by a choice of desserts in one of the club’s marquees, where fruit juice, tea and coffee are freely available throughout the day.

After which they returned to the banks of the lake to complete their fishing, which by that time had developed into a competition to see who could not only catch the most fish, the best retrieve but also the largest catch of the day.

There were over 100 people attending this event including: the participants, the casters the carers and a number of visitors including Gordon Bourne our President, Jim Webster our founder and our CEO Ken Haslar, also dignitaries from other provinces who were specially invited to attend this, at this time the largest single event in the MFC calendar in 2009.

On the left we see Jim Smith our
Branch Chairman & Fundraising
Officer who’s receiving a Cheque
from our PGM in sponsorship
for £1500.00!

The committee says a big
THANK YOU.