All Things Piscatorial

Les Webber MBE – We salute you!

It gives me enormous pleasure to report that Les Webber has been honoured by the Queen in her Birthday Honours List.

To be honoured by the Queen is a truly special feat and in the case of Les Webber, I can think of no-one who deserves an MBE more.

Of course many of you will have already heard of Les Webber and his tireless commitment to the youth of this country.  But for those who have not, please allow me to introduce you to the man who is my greatest inspiration for the work I do within coaching.

Les Webber founded Angling Projects back in 1976.  First called ‘Special Projects Group’, Les and his partners, Tom Francis and Jack Ashford – sadly both now deceased – used school halls and borrowed lakes to teach youngsters the art of angling.

From these humble beginnings, in 1988 Angling Projects was given the use of the Old Kingsbury Sailing clubhouse and the lake next to the RMC (now Cemex) Wraysbury Gravel Pit.  Many hours of hard work were required to turn it into the home of Angling Projects.

All was going well until disaster struck – in 1990 vandals set fire to the clubhouse and it was razed to the ground.  Sadly, the centre was not insured.

This would have broken many a man, but it made Les and his team even more determined that the centre would carry on – and be even better than before.

Not for the first time, the angling community and supporters of Angling Projects rallied around and donated various building materials to help create what is there today – a purpose-built centre that can accommodate up to 22 youngsters at a time FOR FREE – for those who attend are not charged a single penny to enjoy the experience that is fishing at Angling Projects.

So what is the Angling Projects experience?  Those lucky enough to spend time at the centre today will enjoy a well-stocked lake which boasts 16 purpose-built platform swims plus six swims that are designed to cater for disabled visitors.  After a hard day’s fishing the guests can enjoy a waterside barbeque or rattle a few pots and pans in the fully equipped kitchen.

But don’t be fooled into believing that this is just a fishing holiday.  Those who use the centre will get involved in the day-to-day running and upkeep of the centre, from running the vacuum over the carpet or cooking breakfast for the whole group, to building new paths or bird boxes.  Angling Projects is about teaching the youth of today the value of nature, the environment and caring for their fellow man.

Yes, Angling Projects has the power to change people’s lives – and Les Webber and his team have proved that time and time again.

More recently Les has headed up Junior Coarse Angling (UK) – he took to the road and went into the classrooms of a number of schools.  Despite a number of problems in raising funds, as you can see from the comments below Les and his JCA(UK) team have certainly made a lasting impact on the pupils and teachers:

‘I knew absolutely nothing about fishing at all, but now I have learnt a lot and become a much better fisherman, I owe that all to you.  I can now cast, tackle up a rod, after lots of attempts and now my rod doesn’t get tangled every 10 seconds.’  

(Allen Worwood, pupil at Stanchester Community School)

‘Junior Course Angling fishing in schools programme works at many levels.  It has given students confidence to write letters, build self esteem and has introduced them to very interesting and exciting people who are very knowledgeable and passionate about their subject.  I have seen students blossom and become just as enthusiastic as the speaker and the classroom buzz with excitement.’ 

(Pat Mansfield, Teaching Assistant, Lord Williams’s School, Thame)

‘The Angling Projects Lake allows us enormous potential for them to show skills and talent in concrete, wood, paint and brickwork.  And it goes to a good cause too. They don’t get paid but do get treated to free fishing.  Funny how a student can boast about how well they concreted a toilet in 2 hours flat ... they don’t seem to do that with maths homework or my science project!!  It’s great that years later it’s still there to be seen, everything at college is temporary; my students would rather do a day of voluntary work at the lake than any other activity except sport.  We had an incident over the use of the photocopier to copy photos of brickwork to take home to show mum….that makes me smile.’ 

(Angus Gunn, Teacher NVQ Coordinator, Stockley Academy & East Berkshire College)

‘I have a lot to thank Les Webber for; he not only took my eldest son “under his wing” but gave

 me the incentive to put something back into our sport of fishing by holding junior fish-ins.’

‘Matthew went on a trip to Ireland with Angling Projects 12 years ago, since then he has never looked back with regards to his fishing.  The children that attend Angling Projects are not only taught about fishing but also about protecting the wildlife, the environment and even housekeeping!  My youngest, now 10, always picks up rubbish and will always complain about others leaving rubbish on the banks of the lake.’

‘Angling has given my two sons a sport to keep them off the streets and out of trouble.  Now Junior Course Angling (UK) has taken angling into the classroom hundreds of other children will benefit from all the knowledge taught them.’ 

(Lyn Hurst, Parent, Farnham, Surrey)

Les Webber has, without doubt, achieved a huge amount in angling and has rightly been awarded the MBE.

 Congratulations - Les Webber MBE

To find out more about Les Webber and Angling Projects click here, or to know more about Junior Coarse Angling (UK) click here.

All photographs and pupil/teacher quotations have been reproduced in this article with the consent of Les Webber, Richard Willett and Steve Gray

All images are the copyright of Steve Gray, Richard Willett and Angling Projects and JCA(UK)