From Friday, September 19 2003
Most women would run a mile if their husband suggested they come fishing with them, but not former Surbiton resident Gillian Forsyth.
But that is just the beginning of the tale. She not only found herself hooked on the sport but also went on to win the national fly fishing championship – twice.
The unlikely champion, who lived in Southwood Drive for 36 years, left Surbiton with husband William in 1997 to live in his native village of Methven in Perthshire.
Not originally interesting in angling, Mrs Forsyth found herself fishing with him to keep him company.
She carried on with the sport as a way to make new friends after William died of cancer two years after moving to Methven.
“My husband would have said ‘do something, don’t just sit at home’.”
Mrs Forsyth excelled in the sport, regularly beating competitors in their 20s and 30s and impressing other anglers instantly with her ability.
She said: “It came to me quite naturally. Everyone used to say ‘Gill always catches lots of fish’, and I didn’t realise my potential was a bit more than I thought it was.
“It’s not been taught. It’s just been self-taught. I’ve got good eyes for seeing the fish. I can almost sense when there’s a fish there and I’m pretty accurate at casting.”
She was then persuaded to enter the Scottish ladies’ championship in 2002 where she surprised herself with her talent.
“I went for a fun day but instead of having a fun day I won the wretched thing.”
She went on to win the competition again the next year with a massive catch weighing in at 18lbs 14oz.
Mrs Forsyth continued to enjoy her life in Scotland and kept busy by walking and watching deer come into her garden to eat her roses.
September 26, 2003 10 YEARS AGO: Toy giants Lego invited 20 second year design students from Kingston University to work on ideas for its theme park, Legoland. Their ideas included a Lego-man model for children to take their picture with, propeller hats built from Lego, and attaching Lego to trees.
September 23, 1988 25 YEARS AGO:
Passengers on a Kingston to Waterloo train made light of their delayed service by betting on the cause. ‘Points failure’ came in at 3:1, ‘brake malfunction’ at 5:1 and ‘escaped leopard on the track’ made an entry at 50:1. The real reason was a bolt of lightning hitting the signal box outside Waterloo.
September 21, 1963 50 YEARS AGO:
A representative from Wall’s treated the members of the Tolworth Congregational Church Women’s Circle to generous helpings of ice-cream. Miss M Greig created some party dishes from a variety pack of ice creams which the members were allowed to feast upon.
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