For the past nine years, volunteer lifeboat crew and fishing boat owner Jason Parrott and his wife Dawn have organised the junior fishing competition to raise money for Ramsgate RNLI.
The High Sheriff of Kent Martin Lukehurst and his wife Vicky were in the area at a talk arranged by Paul Waterman of the National Coastwatch Institute (NCI) which Karen Cox, Ramsgate Volunteer Press Office,r had been invited to speak.
An invitation was extended to the High Sheriff to visit the RNLI station during the fishing competition and on hearing how hard Jason and Dawn had worked and how much they had done with the support of the local fishing community, he asked if he could take the opportunity to present them with certificates in recognition of their great and valuable services to the community.
Dawn and Jason were taken completely by surprise and were delighted to receive the award.
On Friday (28 August) local fishing boats set out from Ramsgate with 79 excited children onboard, a record number.
Seventeen local fishing boats, all giving up a day’s charter as well as providing bait and equipment, took part and organisers thanked Taxi Boat, Skerry Bell, Silver Lining, Renegade, Ranger, Norse, Lady Ann, Guess Again, Dominator, Cassie Rose, Christabel, Bonwey, Bon Adventure, 7 Meter Cat, Marisella, River Runner 5 and, a new boat for this year, Atlantic Seal.
Mayor of Ramsgate Cllr Raushan Ara and her deputy Mayor Cllr Jane Hetherington attended the prize-givinbg. This event wouldn’t take place without the support of local businesses like main sponsor Vattenfall, which provided so many prizes as well as t shirts and medals for each child and gazebos in case the weather turned inclement.
Flambard provided tackle boxes, and Fishermans Corner provided equipment. Other sponsors were Belmont Property Management, TFA Fuel, Whitstable Metals, S.E.Autos, Herne Bay Angling Association, Ramsgate Marine and Broadstairs Fishing Club
as well as Ramsgate and Broadstairs Freemasons, to name just a few.
There was also a small army of volunteers who helped throughout the day including members of the crew.
Competition winners:
Biggest fish of the day weighing 10lb 8oz from onboard Lady Ann- Teddy.
Boys 3rd Alexander. 2nd Hudson. 1st Stanley A.
Girls 3rd Poppy 2nd Lexie 1st Ivy
Kevin Abbott cup – Hughie
Gary Dunk & John Parrott Memorial Shield – Poppy
Top Boat – Cassie Rose
Sea Searcher Memorial Cup – Saskia C
Each child was able to take home a rod, reel and bait box so they can keep on fishing encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors.
Donations are still being counted but currently stand at £6,500 which will go to Ramsgate RNLI.
