Award winning project leader slams inaccurate Angling Trust email.
Les Webber MBE, founder of the award winning Angling Projects scheme, has refuted suggestions that the project is to close at the end of the year, as suggested in an email to patrons by Angling Trust Chairman, Mike Heylin.

The project, that was this year given the Queens Award for services to angling, provides a centre for schools to bring groups of children to learn about fishing, as an alternative to drugs and crime. He told Angling News Week: “I can categorically say that the centre will not be closing down, nor will it be forming a charity that will be run by the Patrons, as Mike Heylin suggested.

The confusion arose from a phone call that I made to Mike out of frustration, regarding the lack of support the Angling Trust has given to us. I have invited the Trusts Chief Executive, Mark Lloyd, down here to see what we do, yet he has declined my offer. Despite their apparent lack of interest, the Trust seem keen to use my Project as a showcase as a part of their application for funding to Sport England- which is rich when you consider that they have very little to do with it, and refuse us funding on the grounds that none of our coaches are licensed!”

Angling News Week tried to get hold of Mike Heylin for comment, but were unsuccessful.

The London based centre that is run by Angling Projects has helped over 41,000 youngsters since its creation back in 1975. Patrons include Chris Tarrant, John Wilson and Total Carp's publisher, David Hall.

For more information on the work that Angling Projects do, or to make a donation, log on to: www.angling-projects.org.uk