The Masonic Trout and Salmon Fishing Charity (MTSFC) is a Registered Charity and has the aim ‘to bring an interactive fishing and countryside experience to people with Special Needs’. This includes disabled and disadvantage children, young people and adults. Fishing events are held up and down the country and particpants invited from Special Needs Schools, Adult Day Centres and similar places to attend. Participants are introduced to fishing by an experienced fishing guide and helpers and lunch is provided for them and their carers or teachers.

 

For the origins of the idea which has now grown into the Masonic Trout and Salmon Fishing Charity, we must go back to 1998 when, with an inspired idea by Jim Webster, a small group of Masonic Flyfishing friends organised a day’s fishing for a few physically impaired children. During the next year or two these outings began to expand and attract the interests of fishermen and they soon had a small band of regular and willing helpers around him. It also started attracting the attention of the Special Needs Schools and Day Centres so the demand began to grow for more events.

It was not long before keen supporters and Masons from Hertfordshire, London and Middlesex who had been helping in the activities came together and officially formed the “Masonic Trout and Salmon Flyfishing Club”. They were Jim Webster, Carl Vincent, Mark Vincent, Ken Haslar, Mike Purdy, Dennis Vickers, Mike Higginbotham and Peter Luckhurst and they formed the Club’s founding committee.

The Club became a Registered Charity in 2002 with the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, the Hon. Marquess of Northamptonshire becoming the Patron. The Grand Master, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent has also attended an event and gives the Charity his full support. To fomalise things the name changed to the Masonic Trout and Salmon Fishing Charity’ in 2008. The name has a slight anomaly as there are now plenty of coarse fishing events as well as fly fishing ones.

From the beginning the Charity’s sole aim was, is and always will be, to provide a countryside and fishing experience to people less fortunate than themselves. Mainly visually, mentally, physically impaired or disadvantaged children from local Special Needs Schools but adults are also welcome. To date, a large number of participants have benefited from these outings and the need is still expanding. The club has accrued a vast team of fishermen (and women) who do the real work and give up their time to provide the experience for the participants. There is likewise an untold number of helpers who help with all the other things that are needed to ensure that events run smoothly and provide the great lunches that are part of the day. Many of these are not masons but they all demonstrate the true “Masonic Spirit” of helping those less fortunate than themselves.

It was intended from the outset that the Charity’s activities should not be connected with any particular area and the aim is to spread the word to as many areas as possible.  This is achieved by setting up Branches in the Masonic Provinces, who are responsible for organising events in their areas.  Being a Masonic Initiative, the main organiser in each Branch is a Freemason but many committee members and helpers are not and do not need to be.  Funding also comes mainly from Masonic sources and the Charity relies on donations from Masonic Provinces, Lodges, Individuals and Trust Funds.

Disabilities observe no boundaries – so why should the endeavours of MTSFC?