The Fermanagh Fishing Classic and Pike Classic events look like being back on after DAERA performed a u-turn on funding.

As previously reported in The Impartial Reporter, the angling events looked to be in jeopardy when DAERA pulled the plug on funding that would have gone towards stewarding and the logistics of organising the events.

However, last week saw the Department reverse their initial decision and restore the funding – much to the relief and delight of David Burleigh from Erne Anglers.

He said: “We’ve had a bit of pushback from the department and thankfully the funding been resolved in good enough time to let the event go ahead.

“Last year, we had for the first time ever in a long time a sponsor of the event with Tackle Gear coming on board who are leaders in the social media side of things within the industry.

“They were giving us coverage and on top of that, we also had the hospitality sector involved. We had different entertainments on each night of the week to help bring back a festival vibe that had dwindled and was missing over the years.

“We were hoping to see quite a big increase in the entry numbers this year as a result of the work that took part last year. Then DAERA pulled the rope from under us in the middle of that.

“So the event was put in jeopardy because people are like, is this going to happen? Is it not going to happen? Do we book accommodation, do book ferries, or do we hold it off?

“Then when they eventually get the word that it’s going ahead, is that accommodation going to be available? So there’s a lot of uncertainty and that certainly hampered some of the really, really good work that both local industry, local businesses and the council have done last year to really put the events back on the map, to try and increase their numbers and obviously local spend in the local area.”

Despite all that has happened, Burleigh says there’s no ill will towards DAERA.

He added: “To be fair to the department, this has been a decision that’s probably down to somebody looking at and how can they can cut an amount here there.

“This was obviously one part of those cuts, but to be fair to the department, we have to put in context that decisions that have to be made and I have sympathy towards that.

“But obviously for the amount of money that’s involved in this and the positive impact that has locally and huge, huge amount of tourism revenue, it makes sense to spend that small modest overhead budget on it to keep the thing going.”

Burleigh admits that had the u-turn not been made and the events cancelled, the impact on the local economy would have been grave.

“Straight away there would have been an impact of the local economy and the hospitality industry,” he continued.

“On top of that, locally, we have lots and lots of people who are moving into the area, people that have traditionally been coming here in May and September and even retiring over here or have bought properties over here.

“That’s all external investment money that’s not coming out of the Northern Ireland economy. Those people have fallen in love with the local area and either end up moving here to live or visit here with their families and their loved ones throughout the year and visit friends they’ve got to know over the years.

“So there’s a lot of spin-offs, repeat trips and travel outside of the events themselves as well that you would potentially miss out on in the long term.”

Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Deborah Erskine, also expressed her delight that funding had been restored to the Fishing Classic stating that common sense had won the day.

She said: “I am delighted that the funding is being reinstated. This is a huge victory for the Fermanagh Fishing Festival organisers and our local anglers. Common sense has prevailed.

“Having raised this in the Assembly Chamber directly, when I became aware of this issue last month, I have since been in communication with the DAERA Minister regarding the funding.

“It is of a huge relief that this festival will have the support it needs. These fishing festivals bring a huge boost to our hospitality and local businesses in Fermanagh. It also showcases the County in the best possible light, and this festival has been a fixture for anglers for decades.

“I want to congratulate the organisers on their efforts in fighting for this funding. They have had many meetings to draw down this funding and show the importance of it. Their hard works shows their passion and dedication to our area.”