Casting for Recovery's Hampshire heatwave

Twelve ladies enjoyed their first taste of fly fishing at a retreat at Kimbridge on the Test near Romsey in Hampshire from 22-24 July. Ladies who all had, or have previously had, breast cancer, came from all over the country to enjoy the two-day residential retreat. The packed itinerary included top tuition in the basics of the beautiful sport of fly fishing as well as counselling and medical advice from experienced specialists who give their time each year to volunteer at the venue.

This was Casting for Recovery's eighth trip to Kimbridge, which is a perfect venue as it is beautiful, tranquil and enables the ladies to take some time to themselves in a unique form of outdoor therapy - fly casting. In addition to the physical and emotional aspects, the ladies all enjoy delicious local produce and the comfortable accommodation afforded by the Mill House and Farm House at Kimbridge, which are on the banks of the beautiful River Test.

Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland is a quality of life project which encourages ladies to move forward from their illness, concentrating on wellness rather than illness. Administered by The Countryside Alliance Foundation, Casting for Recovery (CfR) has been running in the UK and Ireland for ten years and has run over 30 retreats. Its unique combination of medical support, counselling and gentle physiotherapy via fly casting make it an inclusive programme that ladies can participate in at their own pace.

We are extremely grateful not only to the staff and owners of the Kimbridge Estate, but also to the fly fishing and medical volunteers who take time to ensure that the ladies all enjoy their weekend. Thanks must also go to our equipment sponsors, Orvis UK, as well as to the members of Crawley Fly Fishers who presented course director Sue Shaw with a cheque for £350 at the retreat, the product of their own fundraising initiative on behalf of CfR.

But most of all we are grateful to the ladies for choosing to take the chance and apply for the programme. We hope they all enjoyed it!

NB Places on retreat are allocated by ballot and are subject to medical clearance. A maximum of 12 ladies can be accommodated at Kimbridge to keep the retreat intimate and friendly. We hope to be back at Kimbridge in 2017 and applications will open early in the New Year. For more information please contact Jill on [email protected]