A fishing club is set to host a match this weekend in memory of a former fishing columnist who died.
Burton Mutual Fishing Club will be hosting The Alan Dawes Tankard match near Barton in memory of Alan Dawes, who wrote a fishing column for the Burton Mail newspaper and died last year.
Alan was well known in Burton for his love of fishing and he turned his passion into his profession by becoming the angling correspondent for the Burton Mail.
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Alan, who died in July 2020, presented the tankard for a match that took place in his honour before he died. The last match having taken place 20 years ago. Burton Mutual has now announced that it plans to bring back the competition regularly.
Match secretary Gary Rogers had brought back the fishing tournaments earlier this year and said the main reason was to mark Alan’s services to angling. Mr Rogers, 40, said he wanted to bring the competition back after speaking to older members of the club, who have fond memories of fishing.
He said: “Alan was before my time but I knew him as the press reporter for the fishing. He passed away and we wanted to do something to mark his services to angling.
“It will be taking place on the banks in Barton and is a three-hour match. The draw will be taking place at Trentside Cricket Club in Branston. It is all in memory of Alan.”
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Club chairman Dave Fern knew Alan and said that it was a “no-brainer” to bring the tournament to Barton as that was where Alan grew up.
Mr Fern said: “We used to do the fishing all around Burton. For many years, the club used to fish for the Dawes Tankard. It was one of the matches that took place.
“In memory of Alan we have brought it back in the canal near Barton. It is one of the first three trophies we have brought back as part of our relaunch of matches this year.
“Alan was a very passionate man. He worked at Pirelli and moved to Derby. His passion was fly fishing up in Scotland. So we decided to have one match on the canal to remember all he did for not just the Burton Mutual, but for fishing in the area.
“The competition will be taking place on the canal through Barton Turns near the marina. That is where Alan lived as a child and where he always wanted to come back to. On his passing, his daughter Mrs Shaw got in touch and asked us to put something on to remember him. We already had plans to do something and his family will present the winner with the tankard.
Mr Fern, 57, said the club has had to work around the weather and covid restrictions for the match on Sunday, December 19.
He added: “Pegs will be drawn for the anglers and only one person will be allowed at the weigh in. We are hoping nothing else happens until then.
“I’m a little apprehensive as we are hoping it will be a good day for the fisherman. But the rain that runs down from the A38 means that a lot of the residue comes down and stops the fish from feeding.
“The fishers will still catch but it won’t be as good. Winter fishing is always more difficult but that is what Alan loved. He loved a challenge. It is nice to bring the competition back to commemorate all Alan did for us. His family are very touched.
“We don’t have any more slots for the match as they have been fully booked up in advance but all the results will be on our website, and anyone wanting to join in should get in touch.”
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