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The Wheelyboat Trust
The Wheelyboat Trust is a small national charity dedicated to providing disabled people with hassle-free and independent access to waterborne activities such as angling, pleasure boating and nature watching. Formed in 1985 as The Handicapped Anglers Trust, it has so far supplied 145 specially designed wheelchair accessible Wheelyboats to fisheries, water parks and other venues open to the public all over the UK.
There are 13 Wheelyboats available for disabled anglers to use in the South West providing access to coarse, sea and game fishing. The latest to be launched (April 2011) was a Mk III Wheelyboat on Tamar Lakes near Bude. This boat is also available for pleasure boating and nature watching and was jointly funded by the Environment Agency and the South West Countryside Mobility Project. Wheelyboats are self-operated and can be helmed by the disabled angler. They all have bow doors that lower to provide roll on, roll off wheelchair access either from the bank or slipway. They drift well, especially with a drogue, or can be fished at anchor. Booking is essential and it is recommended 24 hours notice is given. Lifejackets must be worn and are provided free of charge by the fishery.
The first Wheelyboat in the UK that can be used for sea fishing was launched at Golant on the River Fowey estuary in 2010. (The location of this Wheelyboat means that trips are always accompanied by a helmsman). The estuary holds a good head of bass, mullet and flounder and you can fish bait, spin or fly depending on the species targeted.
New Wheelyboats are being launched all the time. For the latest list of all UK venues and for more information on the work of the Trust, visit the website or contact the Director. The Wheelyboat Trust is a registered charity and relies upon the generosity of charitable organisations, companies and individuals to enable it to continue providing this important service on behalf of disabled people. Donations can be made via the Trust’s website.
Contacts:
Andy Beadsley, Director. North Lodge, Burton Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0JT,
Tel/fax 01798 342222
Rex Harpham, SW Regional Coordinator.
22 Chollacott Close, Whitchurch Road, Tavistock, PL19 9BW. Tel 01822 615953
www.wheelyboats.org
Wheelyboat venues in the region...
Avon
Chew Valley Lake, Chew Magna 01275 332339 Trout fishing www.bristol-water.co.uk
Cornwall
River Fowey, Golant Sea fishing, nature watching 0845 5195261
Siblyback Reservoir, Liskeard 01209 860301 Trout fishing, nature watching www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Stithians Reservoir, Redruth 01209 860301 Trout fishing, nature watching www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Devon
Kennick Reservoir, Bovey Tracey 01647 277587 Trout fishing www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Roadford Lake, Okehampton 01409 211507 Trout fishing, nature watching www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Tamar Lakes, Bude 01288 321712 Coarse fishing, nature watching www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Wistlandpound Reservoir, Barnstaple 01598 763221 Trout fishing, nature watching www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Dorset
River Frome, Wareham 01929 550688 Coarse fishing, pleasure boating www.warehamboathire.co.uk
Gloucs
Bushyleaze Trout Fishery, Lechlade 01367 253266 Trout fishing www.lechladetrout.co.uk
Somerset
Clatworthy Reservoir, Taunton 01984 624658 Trout fishing www.wessexwater.co.uk
Sutton Bingham Reservoir, Yeovil 01935 872389 Trout fishing, nature watching www.wessexwater.co.uk
Wimbleball Reservoir, Brompton Regis 01398 371372 Trout fishing, nature watching www.swlakestrust.org.uk