The GHOF Easington project, part-funded by the Environment Agency, was started in November 2008 by Darren McGlen, a passionate sea angler who won the North East Sea Fishing Winter League in both 2005 and 2007.

The Easington Project:

The Easington Get Hooked on Fishing Project concentrates mainly on sea angling although an environmental programme which takes people rock pooling and performing beach cleans has recently been introduced to help the young people understand the impact they can have on the habitat by littering.

This is the second project set up by Darren McGlen (pictured above right) following the success of the Wansbeck Project which has now been in operation since April 2007.

Volunteering:

Get Hooked on Fishing is very open to people wishing to gain further Youth Work experience or angling knowledge by way of volunteering. Anyone wishing to do so can contact Darren directly for further information.

Key Partners

GHOF Wansbeck works closely with the following partners.

• Environment Agency
• Positive Futures
• Youth Offending Team
• Various Schools and Community Centres
• Durham County Council
• Groundwork
• Coastal Rangers
• Angling Trust
• Local Angling Clubs

Events:

Modules and taster days are delivered regularly, whether requested during the week, at weekends or on an evening. Anyone wishing to participate in Get Hooked on Fishing can contact Darren by either email or telephone.

Recent Events

The Easington Project provides  taster days, peer-mentor and environmental programmes to schools, Easington Disability Forum and the Ports Development Authortiy. McCorley, aged 10, is Darren’s youngest ever peer mentor and was a great help during the summer holidays.  McCorley is pictured (above) helping out.

Easington Colliery Welfare Angling Club Open Day- 23rd July 2009

GHOF participated in a Fun Day aimed at young people organised with Easington Colliery Welfare, Easington Colliery Angling Club, The Environment Agency, Angling Trust, Coastal Rangers, local angling shops, Groundwork and Easington Council to promote Easington Sea Angling Club.  The aim was to boost membership, support the newly formed young people’s club and raise awareness of the three angling disciplines. Over 200 people attended and the day was judged a great success.

GHOF gave casting instruction and other activities included environmental awareness and rock pool habitat.  There were raffle prizes worth hundreds of pounds, giveaways, a sustainable fish cookery demonstration with tasters (mackerel, whiting and flatfish) and face-painting.