BorderLines Projects 2010

As well as running educational programs, dipping and fishing sessions with, Carleton Hill Fishery, Impact Housing, Carlisle Angling Association, the Carlisle and District Coarse Angling Club, the Nith Fishing's Improvement Association, Cumbria Youth Offending Service, local schools and thanks to a “Together we can Fund” grant from Cumbria Community Foundation sessions with 35 pupils at James Rennie School Carlisle suffering from a range of disabilities, Borderlines have also been involved with the following projects during 2010:

Fishing for Knowledge

So far more than 700 school children from 21 schools across Dumfries and Galloway have participated in the project becoming more aware of their local river catchments and the animal and plant life that they support. The Project was set up by a partnership group comprising the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board, the Annan District Salmon Fishery Board, Galloway Fishery Trust, Buccleuch Estate, ‘SEPA’s Dumfries and Galloway Catchment Management Initiative’ and Solway Heritage, current funders are Scottish Natural Heritage and , ‘LEADER Dumfries and Galloway’. and Daiwa Sports Ltd., have also very kindly offered sponsorship in the shape of £1000 worth of fishing tackle for the project for next year.

The ‘Fishing for Knowledge Project’ has been nominated for a ‘D&G Rural Award’ this year through LEADER’s D&G Program., The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in November... Fingers crossed!

The practical work on the ground is carried out by Borderlines and involves introducing children and young people between the ages of 4 and 12 years of age from Dumfries and Galloway to the freshwater environment, its associated animal, plant life and angling in their local river catchment through a series of six tried and tested structured sessions with local schools and through a series of Family Fishing Days open to the public.

The project engaged and enthused children about nature on their own doorsteps. Using angling as the ‘hook’ to catch attention and by promoting active learning, allowing them to get their hands and feet wet, children’s knowledge and understanding of their local environment has been greatly improved, inspiring them to respect and protect it. Several schools taking part were working towards their Eco-schools awards, the project helped to make children more aware of areas in their environment that school’s hadn't dealt with. As well as making a valuable contribution to many area’s of the curriculum teachers noted that the project also benefited the children's listening, talking, co-operation and team skills, that they were more aware of freshwater life in their rural environment, safety at the waterside and as well as having a calming effect all children achieved success during the project.

Irene Kennedy of Wallace Hall Primary said "The benefit of having a visiting 'teacher' and access to the 'outside classroom' not only expands areas of knowledge regarding 'living things/fishing etc., but are also extremely helpful for the children’s personal development. It has been a most successful and enjoyable six weeks from which we (children and adults) have hugely benefited from. It is just not possible to achieve half as much learning in the classroom environment - access to the 'living classroom' awakens their insight into a vast array of things that otherwise they would have had no opportunity to have seen/learned".

Gillian Baldie of Belmont Children's Centre said “Due to family circumstances many may not have the opportunity or encouragement to investigate their environment and to see it brought to life in this way, this for them is super". Future opportunities: If the project could be rolled out across the region with schools monitoring plant, invertebrate and fish life in their own loch, river, stream each year, giving them ‘ownership’ of their own environment more children would be encouraged to take a greater interest and pride in their local environment and heritage, as well as being given the opportunity to take up a hobby for life.

Future Fish: Edenstart

An environment and angling education program for Primary school children in the Eden Valley developed by the Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA) in partnership with the Environment Agency (EA) and Borderlines which aims to “reconnect young people with rivers, their fish and habitats and their importance to the wider community”.

165 pupils aged from 8-11 years old from High Hesket, Lanercost and Kirkoswald primary schools have been the first to take part in the project which began in June 2010, involving river dipping, observing the life cycles of fish, casting and fishing.

The scheme closely follows existing curricula and is linked to school projects; for example, “Water” is the theme for one of the schools.

Some fine examples of the enthusiasm shown in the classroom from Kirkoswald school after the sessions, all credit to the teachers and children.

It incorporates local geography, demonstrates why the health of a river has just far-reaching importance for everybody, and involves the students in habitat management.

Above all, it is designed with life-long learning to the fore, aiming to encourage participation in angling by highlighting the healthy, active lifestyle this sport promotes, as well as demonstrating the economic importance of healthy rivers and angling tourism to the community.

Mrs M Taylor Head teacher at High Hesket Primary School said “This program has been very well received by all staff and children. Comments received have been without exception, positive. The children have come back buzzing with what they have done and learned and the teachers have passed comments such as the links to science were brilliant, all adults who led sessions were brilliant with children and adults and very professional. We feel very privileged to have been offered this program and would very much like to be involved in the future”.

High Sheriff’s Crime beat Project: Wigton Youth Station Fishing Club

On the 22nd May 2010 the High Sheriff of Cumbria, James Carr, launched a new fishing project involving young people from the Wigton Youth Station. Following discussions with the staff and young people at Wigton Youth Station, the Neighbourhood Policing Team and thanks to the assistance given by the Cumbria Community Foundation, The Environment Agency, The Cumberland Building Society and the Carlisle and District Coarse Angling Club Borderlines have been able to set up an angling club for young people at the Youth Station. There will be weekly activities building to fishing trips during the school holidays, giving more young people the opportunity to gain an introduction to a healthy enjoyable hobby, that gets them out into the countryside.

James Carr, High Sheriff told us “I have witnessed the significant individual and social benefits that participation in angling can bring to young people. Not only is it a great past time but the environmental teaching fits with the school curriculum.
Giving a grant to start up this new project for the Youth Station is a really exciting way for me to promote the Cumbria High Sheriff’s Crime beat Fund and the projects it supports.”

Deb Muscat, Grants Development Officer said “Each year the High Sheriff raises funds for the Crime beat Fund. The Fund makes grants to projects helping young people and young adults in danger of becoming involved in anti social behaviour or crime.

Barnardo’s Dads and Lads

Dads and their lads in Carlisle South are being offered free family fishing days by Barnardo’s. The initiative, run by Barnardo’s Sure Start Carlisle South Children’s Centre, is aimed at getting more fathers and sons spending quality time together.

The first trips took place at Crofton Lake and Solway Firth, where some father and son teams caught as many as 5 fish. Andrew Hetherington, who was there with his three sons; Travis, Leon and Connor, says: “I don’t get out much because of a physical disability and I really appreciated the experience of being able to go fishing with my boys. We had a great time, it was so relaxing.”

Sheraton Shaw, Children’s Services Manager for Barnardo’s, says: “These days fathers find it increasingly difficult to spend one-on-one time with their sons. This is a very enjoyable bonding experience where they can work together to make their first catch.”

The angling expeditions follow recent research by the children’s charity, which revealed how fishing results in a positive change in self-esteem and lowered stress levels. Sheraton adds: “Evidence shows how nature can make a positive contribution to people’s health, improve their stress levels and even have an immunising’ effect to protect from future stresses. It can also help to lift low mood.”

Chris Bowman, from not-for-profit angling company, Borderlines, provided expert tuition and equipment for the event. He says: “It’s a real pleasure to be able introduce families to the sport of angling for free, and to see the looks on the children’s faces when they catch their first fish. “Barnardo's Community Development Officer Zoe Etchells should be congratulated for this research which has led to dad's and lads from Carlisle enjoying real angling adventures together.”

The trips are open to fathers and their 5-13 year olds in Harraby, Upperby, Botcherby, Petteril Bank, St Aidan’s and Currock. To ‘make a catch’ get in touch with Zoe Etchells at Barnardo’s on 01228 530377. Barnardo's runs 43 projects across the North West and works with thousands of children, young people and their families in the region. We believe in the potential of every child and young person, no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. We will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and every child.

One of Borderlines final sessions of 2010 was the Wigton Youth Station Fishing Club Christmas Party on Wednesday 22nd December, Wigton Community Policeman PC Chris Blain also attended and very kindly presented prizes on the night.

Since beginning the project back in May club members have taken part in sessions learning about fish, tackle and tactics, building knowledge each week and working towards a monthly fishing trip.

So far this year members have tried fishing for a variety of coarse fish at Crofton Lake, have fly fished for rainbow trout at New Mills Trout Farm and fished for grayling and chub on the river Eden and are looking forward to more piscatorial adventures in 2011.

Wednesday's party however was more of a celebration of their achievements during the first 6 months of the club's existence.

As well as everyone receiving photographs, rod licences and enjoying the pizza and soft drinks on the night, Luke Crossman received a fishing book as reward for his perseverance on the club's recent chub fishing trip, Jack Pattinson also won a book as the highest scorer in the evenings bait casting competition and Ryan Baxter won a book in the evenings flounders game and quiz.

Projects - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009 - 2011 - 2012

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