Without people like Sally Acloque and her extraordinary support, where on earth would we be? This lady is the ultimate force of nature…firm, steadfast, impressive, a fisher of consummate ability and help in any sort of crisis in the east. Sally is, frankly, our Fishing for Schools Angel.
And….
What began as a chance meeting with Charles Jardine soon turned into a shared passion—and the start of something special for Fishing for Schools in the East of England. In this Q&A, we hear from the remarkable Sally Acloque, whose dedication over the past eight years has been instrumental to growing Fishing for Schools in Norfolk.
Why did you get involved with Fishing for Schools and how did it come about
Charles came to Norfolk to be guest speaker at a Salmon and Trout Association dinner and as I was on the Council and living nearby, I offered to have him to stay for the night, which was when we discovered we both had a passion for teaching children to fish.
Charles had been given the church collection from the funeral of John Humphreys, Sporting Gun for the Shooting Times, to hold a fishing event, and this financed the First Norfolk Open Day, involving 60 children and nearly as many staff and volunteers on the lake by my house. It was so inspirational that I raised the money to hold another event, and this led to the Eastern Region branch of Fishing for Schools and my involvement.
Why is being part of Fishing for Schools important to you
I have been immensely impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the people involved in Fishing for Schools and feel proud to be a part of the team. It gives me an enormous pleasure to see the change in the children who arrive with hoodies up, hands in pockets and eyes on the ground and they leave as a smiling happy team, having caught fish, interacted with their peers, and achieved an Award, but it is the gain in self esteem that is the most striking.
Where do you see the future of Angling
As far as game fishing is concerned, there are less salmon in our rivers and fly fishing is becoming more expensive. Coarse fishing is available at more reasonable prices but at many venues health and safety dictates that children must be accompanied by an adult. It worries me that children do not have the freedom that we had in our youth to roam and fish. It is important to bring the young into fishing, they are the future of this sport.
How long have you been fishing? And what is your favourite aspects of the sport
I have been fishing for approximately 65 years, starting with sticklebacks, and fishing for trout and salmon with my parents. I live next to a coarse fishing lake so have recently taken up fishing for pike, rudd, roach, and tench as well. I love the wild places to which fishing takes you, the space and freedom, the wildlife and the birds, the countryside, the feeling of being so close to nature, and the good friendships you develop with fellow fishermen.
How do you see Fishing for Schools effecting young people’s outlook
Where could Fishing for Schools Improve
This charity runs with a small number of hard working staff. With more finance, so much more could be achieved. Perhaps a clearer pathway from inception to a career path may become achievable.
What has been Fishing for Schools major impact
A great many children have benefitted from Fishing for Schools, and some have taken up fishing related careers. Many of the children we teach are from special needs and nurture groups and the self-confidence they have gained has helped them transition back into main stream schooling.
For several years, here in Norfolk, we have undertaken a programme with Aylsham School. This joint effort was recognised in the Norfolk Education Awards categories by winning the Outstanding Commitment to Special Needs and Disability, and the lead teacher, responsible for the Nurture Department, was awarded Teacher of the Year. A Grant Award from the Environment Agency and the Angling Trust has enable the School to incorporate fishing within the curriculum, and pupils have progressed through the Foundation to the Intermediate standard of the Angling Skills Activity Awards Courses.
Where do you see Fishing for Schools’s role in the future
Thanks to the dedication of Charles Jardine, founder of Fishing for Schools, and our dedicated coaches, many children have had the opportunity to join this very successful programme. Far more schools apply than can be fitted in. With more sponsorship so many more children could be helped; every child should have the opportunity to achieve.
Funniest experience of/with Fishing for Schools
There have been so many fun and amusing times but what sticks out was the amazed look of one of our volunteers who had been trying for years to catch a large perch in the lake. This very small girl arrived, walked to the lake bank, put a maggot on her hook, cast out and immediately caught a 2lb perch. He did not know whether to laugh or cry!
Something we don’t know about you …… but perhaps should
This is probably the hardest question. I am a glass half full person and I always believe I will catch a fish. Perhaps it is that extra concentration that helps but I have been a lucky fisherman. Being female in the largely male world of fishing makes you try harder