The Countryside Alliance's angling consultant Charles Jardine won a prestigious lifetime achievement award at the CLA Game Fair on Sunday (20 July).
The Arthur Oglesby Award was given to Charlie in recognition of his lifetime contribution to fishing and in particular his dedication to the Countryside Alliance's Fishing For Schools campaign, which introduces fishing to pupils as part of the curriculum.
Previous winners of the Arthur Oglesby Award include fishermen Hugh Miles, Sandy Leventon and Andy Murray and the actor Bernard Cribbins. But the award has not been presented for a number of years.
Nominations were sought from the fishing world earlier this year and Charlie was chosen from the shortlist by the judging panel – Trout & Salmon editor Andrew Flitcroft, Salmon & Trout Association director Paul Knight and the Angling Trust's Martin Salter – who were unanimous in their decision.
Charlie said: "It's only just sinking in. I was surprised and utterly elated to receive the Arthur Oglesby award for services to angling. It is arguably the highest award given in the angling world, and I am overjoyed.
"Fishing For Schools is so important. It puts fun back into the classroom and shows children the importance of what they learn at school in daily life – if they want to shot a float they need to know about weights and measures. They learn about the plants, insects and animals that live by the river or pond. They need to be able to write up what they find in their books – you'd be surprised how much of a challenge that is for some of them – it gives them a reason to study and sets them up with a recreational activity for life."
Explaining why Charlie was the worthy winner, CLA Game Fair head of fishing Chris Ogborne said: "Throughout his life, Charles has been a figure of respect. He is a true angling guru, as well as being arguably the best fly caster I've ever seen. His demonstrations have delighted crowds at Game Fairs for two generations as he is an entertainer as well as a spectacularly good fisherman. Beyond that, he cares deeply about the future of our sport and his current work with Fishing for Schools is exemplary. The angling world salutes a genuine master."
For more information, contact Countryside Alliance head of media Charlotte Cooper on 0207 840 9220 or [email protected]
Information for journalists:
• Charlie won two golds with the English Commonwealth angling team and secured a silver medal at the ESPN Outdoor Games in the USA.
• He is a past angling columnist for the Daily Telegraph, a contributor to a number of fishing magazines and has won a plethora of awards
• The award itself is a stunning fish sculpture by Ian Greensit
• For more about Fishing For Schools, go to http://www.countryside-alliance.org/ca/campaigns-fishing
Image shows: Charles Jardine, director general of the CLA Helen Woolley and Chris Ogbourne