The weather conditions on Amroth Beach on Sunday 16 February proved to be most unkind to the 52 fishermen who had entered the Pembroke and District Angling Club and Osprey S.A.C Open Fishing Competition, held in support of the RNLI and its aid to local Lifeboats. 

Temple Bar Inn was the focal point for registration, courtesy of owner Ian Wilkinson.  Those signing in were greeted by the sight of a huge array of raffle prizes waiting to be won after the match.  Members of the nearby RNLI Saundersfoot Branch were on hand to sell the tickets and were amazed at the generosity of the purchasers.

The overwhelming kindness of local businesses and individuals had yielded one hundred and ten prizes, due mainly to the persuasive powers of Peter Kraus and Kirsty Culley.  When the fishermen departed for their possible 4-hour sojourn in the cold and wind, the RNLI volunteers were kept busy folding ticket stubs and making notes of donors of the prizes.
 

No fish caught in difficult conditions

Unfortunately the fish totally failed to bite, leaving the anglers free to return to warmth of the Temple Bar Inn.  After they were suitably refreshed, the mega raffle draw was announced.  Peter Kraus read out the entire list of the prize-givers and, also, those who had given financial donations to the RNLI.  This was greeted by much applause.  Excitement mounted as, one by one, the collection of interesting items on display, including bottles, meals out and various other treats and gifts gradually reduced in number. 

After the final prize was claimed, RNLI Saundersfoot Branch President Jennie McIntosh paid a heartfelt tribute to all present, including host Ian Wilkinson, competition and raffle organisers, fishermen and their families and members of the wider public who had also joined in the fun of the occasion.  Amid laughter, she said that the fish might not have been biting, but the RNLI had netted an enormous catch!

This later proved to be a staggering total of £1,561.50.  Financial donations and sale of raffle tickets had been swelled by the Fishing Clubs’ cash prize money, not able to be awarded due to the non-appearance of any fish.
 

Grateful thanks from organisers

Grateful thanks go to the competition organising committee and to the many generous sponsors for their support of the Lifeboat Service.  The two Pembrokeshire boats nearest to Amroth are Tenby and Angle, the latter currently based part-time on the other side of the Milford Haven waterway in Gelliswick.

The sponsors of the event, whose support is very highly valued, were: Chilton Motors, Templeton Beer and Wine, Heywood Spar Tenby, The Longhouse Freshwater East, Nachos Milford Haven, Hibernia Inn Angle, Highgate Inn Hundleton, Gower Hotel Saundersfoot, Lamphey Court Hotel, Stone Crab Saundersfoot,  J& M Tackle Pembroke Dock, Hean Castle Saundersfoot,  Millforge Pembroke Dock, Big Brums Pembroke Dock, Innovative Gas Services, F B Mason, Gas Technical Services Pembroke Dock, Ian Wilkinson, Kirsty Culley, Peter Kraus, Shane Tucker, Dai Etherington, Pauline Cook, Darren Jones, Ed Pritchard, Leigh Rogers, Alison George, Robert Varns, Andrew Jamieson, Haydn Cole, Carl Williams, Mals Taxi, The Cricketers, First and Last, Swann Inn, Nick Daley and Wayne Shanklin.