50,000 Visitors Predicted At Evesham! - 20/08/2010
Britain’s biggest angling festival takes place on the Warwickshire Avon at Evesham over the August Bank Holiday weekend, with organisers anticipating in excess of 50,000 visitors over the three days.
The Evesham Festival is a three-day angling extravaganza with many extra attractions, and from its humble beginnings after starting back in 1978 it has grown into the huge event that it is today.
While the angling takes place along the river from 11am until 4pm each day, the Crown Meadow immediately above the river bridge plays host to a huge tented retail village, with fishing-tackle bargains galore as well as other, non-angling features of interest. Add to that the many side attractions, such as a funfair for children, a craft fair, beer tent and food offerings galore, and it’s no surprise that the event attracts such huge crowds every year.
Festival co-organiser Dave Harrell is looking forward to the big weekend and predicts a record turnout this year: “I’ve been a part of this festival for many years and watched it grow, firstly as a competitor in the angling competitions and now as part of the organising team, and it never fails to excite me every year.
“The fishing has been better this season than it has been for a number of years and there will be plenty of action along the river for spectators to watch. We’ve got a number of international-class anglers competing together with local and national stars who have made it through to the finals via a series of qualifying matches. With 70 anglers competing each day I’m expecting some very good weights.
“It never ceases to amaze me just how many people turn up for this weekend and I’m anticipating even more visitors than we had last year. The Evesham Festival is a wonderful three days and there’s something for the whole family to see and enjoy for very little outlay. I’d urge everyone to come along and join us this year, as it’s going to be bigger than ever before and a great weekend!”
CARP LIKE CANDY! - 24/08/2010
Wychavon Qualifier at Evesham (Hampton Ferry and Town Waters), August 22nd, 64 fished
On the last qualifier before the big bank holiday festival, Peg 3 was put into the drawbag for the first time in the series after a weed clearing exercise. Popular Cardiff Nomads angler Richard Candy drew it and with only 13oz in the net with 45 minutes to go was believing his qualifying chance had gone. But then a superb 18-3-0 river carp to a liking to his feeder fished lobworm in a mid-river gap in the pandocks - his 19lb total being easily enough for a clear victory.
Elsewhere along the stretch the going was a little tough with the fresh influx of cold water probably putting the roach down. In the Cafe Meadow, Ferryman's Paul Priday on Peg 66 was running out of ideas when an 8-2-0 barbel- his only fish - took his swimfeeder caster set-up aimed for eels and perch. Just behind in third was Evesham's Gary Seadon who weighed in 7-2-0 from Peg 30, his catch comprising of a small barbel and 14 stamp roach on hemp. Studley Roma's waggler expert Rob Badham took fourth with 5-1-0 of chublets on Peg 52.
Qualifiers: Richard Candy, Gary Seadon, Paul Priday
