On 24th September the Surrey Branch of the MFC invited a number of ‘Special Needs’ children and young people with their carers from two schools in Surrey to spend a day in the country, experiencing fly-fishing, each with their own caster for this special occasion.

This event was sponsored a number of Surrey based Masonic Lodges. The event by was also attended by the Provincial Grand Master of Surrey: Eric Stuart-Bamford, a keen fly-fisherman and a lifetime member of the Charity. The Surrey Branch of this charity normally organise three events each year in this county or Province.

We were blessed with the most delightful weather with mid-day temperatures in the mid 20’s for this our last event for 2009. This year the MFC as a charity is spread over many counties across England and Wales and has organised, or will run over 41 events in various provinces across country. In these events we try and give these challenged children and young people a special day out.

It’s what we call a: ‘Countryside experience’ This particular event was held at Coltsford Mill, a beautiful fishery just south of Oxted in East Surrey with a number of professionally stocked lakes all maintained for their club and corporate events.

Most of the casters attending are Freemasons, as are all the organising committee 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 usually raised by donations and raffles that mainly occur in the local Masonic Lodges and other such local fundraising events

We see on the left Roy Burgess our Caster’s Registration Secretary, a founder member of the Committee and the Charity Steward of Abby Lodge, one of our sponsors. Here we see him awarding a young guest with a certificate of participation. At the end of the day’s fishing; all our guests are given such a certificate. The top anglers of the day all receive trophies as a special souvenir of the event. .

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A great catch is proudly displayed by our young caster seen here, who took it 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.

<< < On the left: Eric Stuart-Bamford With his young assistant, who’s just landed another great catch!

We normally invited three schools to join us, but at this particular time there were only two schools available to attend on our pre-arranged day. Our first ten participants came from 'The Grange Centre, an all girls ‘Special Needs’ school, based in Oxted the participants of which were escorted by 4 carers. The other six participants came from ‘Little Smugglers,’ in Godstone whose six participants with another two carers were on escort duties.

After a couple of hours fishing the participants and their carers were then invited to a freshly cooked barb-e-que lunch, followed by a choice of desserts. These take place in either one of the club’s marquees, or under one of the awnings provided by the venue, where juice, tea and coffee and bottled water 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.

We see here a number of our young guests who having been presented with their trophies and certificates listened, whilst we thanked them for attending; all of whom when asked, wanted to be invited again!

Our committee would like to say express their thanks to all our casters, carers and our sponsors of this fun day’s fishing.

THANK YOU.