She went to the Lakeside Country Park accompanied by Martin Salter, National Campaigns Manager for the Angling Trust, and FLE director Graham Mabey.

The Angling Trust is the national representative body for all forms of recreational fishing and delivers many angling participation programmes across the country. FLE are partners in the Eastleigh Council's Park Sport Summer Programme and are busy delivering angling sessions for young people every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between July 25 and Aug 28 at the Country Park.

Martin Salter said:"We were delighted when Mims Davies showed her support for Britain's most popular pastime by joining the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group and we are pleased that she is taking an interest in how young people in her constituency can get the fishing bug.

"It's also great to see local councils like Eastleigh including angling in their summer holiday activity programmes. There is no doubt that kids benefit from getting out in the fresh air and away from their computer screens and angling is just the sort of hobby that can deliver a lifetime of enjoyment."

Graham Mabey added: "For Life Experiences is a Social Enterprise dedicated to getting people from all walks of life and of all ages into the positive outdoor pursuit of angling. This summer FLE is providing fishing tuition for 540 young people through the Eastleigh Borough Council's Park Sport Programme which allows youngsters from the borough to enjoy a whole host of sporting activities over the holidays.

"We are also delivering a six-week Sportive course on Sundays for youngsters wanting to learn more about fishing. FLE is not all about junior provision though and on Sunday afternoons FLE is providing Family Fishing Sessions to local families to help them learn a new hobby that the whole family can enjoy."

Mims Davies said: "I was delighted to visit ‘For Life Experiences’ (FLE) summer holiday fishing project at Lakeside Country Park and to meet their dedicated teaching team of Graham Mabey, Tom Oliver and Michael Wickens along with Martin Salter from the Angling Trust. I joined many young boys and girls from across my Eastleigh constituency attending an hour and half’s tuition on a beautiful sunny day on the bank.
 
"It was wonderful to see how excited and engaged everyone seemed, catching and releasing a variety of fish. Fishing is a great outdoor sport for all ages, with a small set up cost for the basic equipment. It is an accessible hobby with many benefits including a break from technology and fast pace of modern life.

"My daughters were totally enchanted and are keen to try fishing again. I think FLE are delivering a wonderful project and a great introduction to the sport for young people which can turn this initial experience into a long term hobby."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News