Alan Faulkner Memorial Award - Previous Winners

2005 winner - Grafham Water

The Wheelyboat Trust is delighted to announce that Grafham Water is this year's winner of the Alan Faulkner Memorial Award sponsored by Suzuki Marine. John Mees, Senior Warden at Grafham, was presented with a 5hp Suzuki outboard motor by the Duke of Rutland at the CLA Game Fair on Friday July 22nd.

The judges were very impressed with the nominations that came in for Grafham – it is clearly held in high regard for the services it provides to disabled anglers. Access to the water is the major issue, but fisheries can do so much more to make their fishery truly inclusive. Grafham is the epitome of an inclusive fishery where disabled anglers are as equally valued as their able-bodied anglers. The fishing lodge, canteen, loos and shop are fully accessible; the parking is convenient and the fishery staff are helpful and enthusiastic.

Some fisheries provide only a token service to disabled anglers but Grafham truly welcomes and encourages their disabled clientele. This is very important for the future of the sport as it endeavours to spread its appeal. Most disabled people have probably never considered fly-fishing as an activity within reach. The set up at Grafham easily dispels this myth. Grafham's management works closely with members of Grafham Water's Fly Fishing Association to provide tuition, help, advice and boat partners for disabled anglers. There is an annual match between GWFFA and the English Disabled Fly Fishers which is very popular.

All in all, Grafham sets a very high standard among game-fisheries for the service, facilities, opportunities and access it provides disabled anglers. It is a very worthy winner of the 2005 Alan Faulkner Memorial Award.

2004 winner - Eyebrook Trout Fishery

Eyebrook Trout Fishery, a 400 acre reservoir in the Welland Valley, Leicestershire, impressed the judges enormously with its commitment to provide equality of opportunity for disabled anglers. The fishery's facilities are fully accessible throughout and the parking is level and close to the water. It has two Wheelyboats and is the most successful Wheelyboat venue - the boats going out more than 200 times each season.

Although bank access is limited for wheelchair users, the more mobile disabled angler can drive around the 5 miles of shoreline and park close to their chosen fishing point. The fishery is a very popular venue with disabled anglers which speaks volumes for the attitude of the management and their desire and enthusiasm to run an inclusive fishery.

The English Disabled Fly Fishers hold regular competitions there. The judges believe that Eyebrook sets the standard among larger fisheries and were delighted to have conferred the award on such a fine example of a fishery that goes much further than simply meeting the needs of disabled anglers.

The cheque for £500 and framed certificate was presented by Bernard Cribbins to Roger Marshall, Eyebrook's manager. Also present was Andy Beadsley, Director of The Wheelyboat Trust.

2003 winner - Stonebridge Trout Lakes

Bernard Cribbins presented the award to the inaugural winner, Adam Dick of Stonebridge Trout Lakes, at the 2003 CLA Game Fair at Harewood House near Leeds on August 1st.

Stonebridge Trout Lakes of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, impressed the judges tremendously. There are two trout lakes and one coarse lake, all three being entirely accessible by way of concrete footpaths and level fishing platforms. The fishery's two lodges, parking and loos are also all wheelchair friendly. In fact, all the fishery's facilities have been purposely laid out to provide disabled anglers with equality of opportunity alongside their able-bodied counterparts. Tuition is provided and competitions, both specifically for disabled anglers as well as integrating disabled and non-disabled, are held, including the prestigious Northern Disabled Championship.

The anglers who nominated Stonebridge Trout Lakes could not recommend the fishery highly enough and the judges were delighted to confer the inaugural Alan Faulkner Memorial Award to such a worthy contender.

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