Angling for the Disabled

On the 16th June 2001, Luton Angling Club was proud to open three purpose built wheelchair platforms on the River Great Ouse at the Wyboston Lakes Complex on the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire border.

The platforms were a result of long negotiations between Luton A.C. and various other groups to promote angling as a sport for the disabled and to give the opportunity to disabled people to participate in the sport we all love.

We had been looking into the possibility of a venture of this type for several years but it was not until we secured rights to fishing on the Wyboston complex that the right set of circumstances arose.

Along with Luton A.C., Potton Developments (the owners of the complex) and the Environment Agency co-funded the project.

The disabled platforms are accessed via the Wyboston Leisure Village off the A1. There is a service road leading to the disabled car parking area where the platforms are reached via concrete pathways which have gradual inclines to provide easy and safe access for wheelchair users.

The platforms are of concrete construction and have a flat base and are surrounded on three sides with wood topped walls of approx. 24 inches to provide security for wheelchair users so close to the waters edge.

The Grand opening of the facilities was performed by Mr. Terry Moseley the president of the BDAA (The British Disabled Anglers Association). Mr David Little representing Potton Developments and also delegates from the Environment Agency, All of the Luton A.C. officers and officials and Mr. Ken Ball the NFA president were also in attendance.

The wheelchair anglers who used the platforms on the day came from as far as Essex and Birmingham and were sufficiently impressed as to comment that they were possibly the best they had seen on a river venue.

Terry Moseley was impressed enough to request that he could book the platforms for an England Practice in readiness for the world championship in Czechoslovakia.

For more information about this venue please click here

Luton A.C. are now looking at the possibility of expanding their disabled facilities on other venues although this is subject to lengthy negotiations.