The Windmill Juniors Match 2024

A very well deserved winner, Emily Bowden.

We woke up to light rain, but, I was really hopeful that it won’t dampen the day. We had been kindly offered a Gazebo by Dan Hollands, which we were hoping we wouldn’t need. However, it was the first thing put up when we arrived and the last thing taken down when we went!

The children, parents and grandparents arrived and everyone seemed to be in good humour. We drew the pegs a wee bit late, but that wasn’t an issue at all – we were determined this would be a, very relaxed match, with the number one aim of making it enjoyable for the children. Everyone moved to their respective pegs and Stu and I started sorting out some drinks and a few of the prizes, keeping as much as we could under wraps and safe from the weather as we could.

Then, we had the most unique start to a match anyone has ever seen…

There was a gasp from everyone as we witnessed a Top Pole Section gliding over the water. At first we thought it had simply, accidentally, slipped into the water, but, when it changed direction, we knew there was a fish attached – and it was going at some speed. We quickly convened and it appears an un-baited, but connected hook was dangling in the water and, as far as we can work out, a carp foul hooked itself and then went for it! So, we’re now left with the quandary of how to retrieve the pole and save the fish?

Up steps Captain Stuart “Pugwash” Drabble!

With the skill of the Titanic’s captain, he got in our newly refurbished boat and “steamed” at full speed towards the target. But, the Carp wasn’t done yet – it must have sensed he was on his way and the carp changed directions several times, therefore so did Stu – it was starting to look like an episode of Wacky Races. Then, at the last minute, Stu lunged to the side and grasped the Pole and we thought it was all over. However, the Carp didn’t and, as Stu made for the nearest bank, the carp went the opposite way, towing Stu behind it. The boat was starting to look more like a Jet Ski! After a few nail-biting minutes of a tug-of-war, Stu got near enough to the bank to be pulled into safety just as the Carp finally had enough and snapped the hooklink.

We then managed to rescue Stu from the boat.

How could we follow that?

We called “all-In,” everyone stopped laughing and the match kicked off about 10:30. It was clear within a few minutes that most children were catching – this was simply our main aim. About an hour into the match I went round with some drinks and it was confirmed all, but one had caught, so things were looking good. We had recently stocked some Golden Ide which we were hoping would make an appearance and two of them did – one for Isla Parker and the other for Harley Sebes.

The weather was veering between light drizzle and cloudy, but dry, so, as most had their umbrellas up, it wasn’t negatively affecting the day. Then, Emily Bowden, hooked into a Mirror and, with her dad, Mark’s, guidance, landed it, even though it was making a dash under the bridge into the small pool.

On my second trip around the pool with refreshments, it was then clear EVERYONE had caught – a wonderful result and we still had 30 minutes or so to go, so it was all still to play for.

When we called “All-Out”, there was a real excitement for the weigh in – and Guy and his children (some of our neighbours) turned up as well.

We started at peg 2 – Emily’s peg and we got a look at the beautiful Mirror Carp that was, on it’s own, the winning weight at 7lb 6oz. We all applauded her – that’s some feat landing a fish like that – especially one in top condition, they really are brutes in a fight. The banter, laughter, shouts and jovial behaviour around the pool were marvellous. At times the adults couldn’t get a word in – that is exactly how we wanted it.

Stu (our Match Secretary) then gave out the prizes and, a huge thank you needs to go to Allan Kaye for donating 3 very generous vouchers so the first, second and third placed children can go shopping and, hopefully get immersed in a tackle shop – much as we did when we were children and, if we’re very honest, we still do! Thank you also to Dan Hollands and Glenn Gibson for their life-saving Gazebos, that meant all the prizes and, more importantly, the Pizzas were kept dry and also to Adam Wall at the Angling Trust for acquiring some 4m Whips, Shakespeare Caps and Angling Trust Medals as additional prizes for the kids. A final thank you goes to Guy and Zoe for putting up with us and allowing us to use their land as an overflow car park whenever we need it.

All-in-all, a fabulous day – many children were already talking about next year. Then they got busy eating the pizzas and playing together.

So, the final results were…

A cracking day, despite the great British weather!