Disability Discrimination Act – No problem at Cob House! - 25/01/2010

The first fishery believed to have a fully Disabled Accessible Match pool where every one of the 30 pegs is suitable for a wheelchair user is Cob House Fisheries based near Worcester. 

Cob House Fisheries worked with the Environment Agency to provide over 40 pegs suitable for wheelchair users and 2 large training platforms and over 1,000m of pathways all as specified by a report undertaken by the BDAA in 2008. 

“This was a major step forward in the world of fishing” explained Helen Taylor, fishery owner “we knew that the disability discrimination act would have a huge influence on fishing and we believe that fishing should be open to everyone. In 2009 we obtained planning for a huge teaching centre, shop and café which we are now building. The whole building is fully disabled accessible with a changing plinth in the disabled toilets should it be required, we would also like to be able to provide a hoist  in the disabled toilet and a loop (hearing aid) system throughout the building and are looking for sponsorship for these two items”

The opening of the fully disabled accessible pool (Wyatt’s) in the spring of 2009 has already had a top weight of 254lb 10oz in its first year. With over 200 pegs on the site at Cob House offering a range of fishing from old style naturally stocked Victorian Pools to the new Match Pools, Teaching and Game fishing, this new venue is not one to be missed but with bookings now being taken well into 2011/12, you have to be quick to book a place.

“Having two staff fully qualified in Fish Science on site, our stocks are continually monitored and advise is given to anyone that needs help – all our pools are stocked with our own strain of Cob House Carp which have been produced over the last 7 years in our indoor hatchery by selecting broodstock from the fastest growers, selecting for tail size and scale pattern which is producing outstanding quality fish and this is what goes into our pools, fishermen are travelling from all over the country to experience the hard fighting fish” reported Helen “We are now getting reports from the fisheries that we have stocked fish into over the years that they are getting outstanding growth rates, from 6” to 20lb in 3 summers – fantastic!”

Since installing the platforms and pathways we are getting calls from fisheries all over the UK who now understand the importance of providing these sort of facilities and we are always on hand if needed. Information is available on their website, www.cobhouse.org or call Helen on 01886 888101