Henfold lakes near Dorking were chosen for a blind anglers fishing match to launch the first ever club for blind fishermen in the UK - and if it is true that the sun only shines on the righteous then it comes as no surprise that the weather there this week was brilliant.

The blind anglers were all from Seeability at Leatherhead and if their enthusiasm is amazing then their achievements are staggering. Each blind fisherman has an experienced angler to act as their "eyes" for the day and this ensured that all the keepnets were bulging.

Top weight on the day was 12lb 12oz taken by Paul Denton who was aided by James Oliver to put together this fine mixed bag. Fishing newcomer Melvin Nugent was a close second and commended by his helper Paul Caetano who said: "Melvin amazed me by striking, playing and landing every fish entirely on his own."

Edged into third was comedian of the group and their chairman Roy Griffin with 10lb 9oz helped by fine local matchman Martin Peters.

Well-known angler and record chaser Howard Palmer presented the trophies at the lunch and generously donated £350 of prizes himself.

Centrepiece of the lunch was a superb 15lb trout caught and donated by one of the helpers, wheelchair-bound angler Robbie Robertson, and was expertly prepared by fishery manager Mick Gaywood's lovely wife Lynn.

To list all the people who work to make these things happen, I would need a whole page of my own but special mention must go to organiser Gordon Smith, Mick and Lynn Gaywood and all the helpers who gave their time and skill to add a little something to the lives of those less fortunate

I came away feeling privileged to have been there to see them all at work.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.