A tragedy on the bank.

It with a heavy heart that I report the death of one our Fenland Rods members immediately after our match on Sunday.

Les, in happier times.

Les Bedford had been on oxygen for the last year, but that didn’t stop him and his wife, Wendy, from attending all our matches if they could. A covered trailer towed behind their car meant that they could load and unload two sets of tackle more easily. They would always be given the two most easily-accessible swims, and set off before the rest of us had drawn, to allow Wendy time to help Les get ready. Together, they were a real inspiration.

When I joined the club many years ago Les was one of the best anglers there, and always did the weighing-in. And even with the handicap of having to be linked up to an oxygen tank he was almost always well in the mix, and somewhere near the framing positions. In fact on Sunday, he was sixth with 52 lb 3 oz, only 16 lb less than the winner.  

Les was on Elm peg 1, close to where his car and trailer were parked, and the first to weigh. I understand that when the weighers-in got to Les he found it impossible to stand and walk up the bank. Two members helped him into his chair while they weighed in. Soon afterwards Mick Rawson (ex CID) came along the bank, took one look at Les, who was not responding, and immediately called the emergency services.

The first paramedics came in an ambulance and started CPR; then two emergency ambulances turned up, and then an Air Ambulance helicopter. They all worked on Les for over an hour, but he never responded and  they eventually had to declare him dead at the scene. He was 78.

Before the match started Wendy was telling me that Les had had a really good year fishing. It was probably one of the main things that had kept him battling on. And despite the heartrending circumstances I think all the club members, and probably his family, will be so relieved that the end came quickly and that Les died literally doing what he loved the most.

But, Oh how we will miss him.