AUTUMNAL weather could not dampen the spirits at the final Casting for Recover UK and Ireland retreat of 2019, at the Arundell Arms, Lifton, from October 11 to 13.

The medical fly-fishing programme for ladies who have or have had breast cancer last visited the country hotel which is renowned for its fly-fishing in 2017 and made a welcome return this year.

Organiser Sue Shaw said: “The Arundell Arms Hotel hosted us superbly, especially considering we only gave them three months’ notice. The staff were very attentive and the food was gorgeous!

“We were joined by nine ladies who had travelled from as far away as Derbyshire. It had been raining non-stop for about two weeks before the retreat, but the rain stopped for quite a while over the weekend and we even saw a bit of sunshine. All the ladies managed to hook a fish and some were taken home for supper.”

Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland is run by The Countryside Alliance Foundation, the charity set up to increase access to the countryside and to use it for education, fun and healing. It works on the simple principle that fly-fishing is wonderful therapy for those recovering from breast cancer.

The programme takes ladies on a two-day residential retreat where fly-fishing tuition is part of a packed itinerary that also includes counselling, relaxation and medical advice. The residential retreat aims to help both body and mind, with the medical and counselling aspects complementing the gentle physical therapy of the fly-casting motion.

Sue added: “We are extremely grateful to the fly-fishing and medical volunteers who take time to ensure that the ladies all enjoy their weekend and to our generous hosts.”

One of the retreat attendees, Louise Jutton from Stafford said: “‘I had many fears and anxieties about coming but you made me feel so welcome throughout the weekend. I am humbled and still very emotional about the positive effect it has had on me.

“It was great to meet the other ladies and hear their stories both of their breast cancer experiences and about their lives in general, some of whom were truly inspirational.”

This was the final of six retreats in 2019 and dates for 2020 will be announced towards the end of November.