2020 Reflections

Reflections of 2020. An Angling France year of great sadness and much hope

Shirley Barker - much loved and forever missed x

We have all been impacted by terrible times in 2020. Anglers have lost friends, families have lost loved ones and almost all of us have lost time and money. I have lost my beautiful life partner Shirley to cancer and Angling France has lost its much loved founder. This article is dedicated to Shirley and all those who have lost loved ones this year.

Shirley Barker's Incredible Legacy

Shirley was the driving force behind the creation of Oakview Lake and Angling France. During 15 happy and hugely productive years in France, Shirley also learned to speak French, designed our house and built up a long list of dear friends and dedicated admirers in the carp fishing world and beyond. Thanks to Shirley's incredible legacy and the help of some of her dear friends, Angling France has managed to catapult its way into a bright future.

A Thank you from Oakview Lake Regulars

Shirley always treated her guests like a sacred gift in her life. Some of her Oakview friends are now planning to repay the favour by helping with the planning and construction of a stylish wooden gazebo. It will be placed near the home swims, so anglers and their families can enjoy the space and add message plaques to remember Shirley. It will be positioned so that the lake views from the chalet are not interrupted.

Reflections of 2020

Happy Reflections

It is thanks to Shirley's best friend Sharon Brown that Oakview Lake is still thriving today and that Angling France is growing. Sharon didn't hesitate to step in when Shirley fell ill and I'm pleased to say that she is now my new business partner.

Happy memories of Shirley with her best friend Sharon

A Choice of Venues at Angling France

There are now 5 venues to choose from at Angling France. All of the owners knew Shirley well and she would have been delighted to have been able to recommend any one of them. If you can't find space on your preferred lake, don't hesitate to contact us and we will offer you one of our many associate venues. In the meantime, we will put you on our waiting lists for cancellations in the future.

Angling France Venues

Barbret Lake

Hugely popular, but still some weeks left in 2021

Link: Barbret Lake

South Lake

Lots of regulars, but some availability in 2021

Link: South Lake

North Lake

A brand new venue with a very attractive introductory price

Link: North Lake

New Mill

Just opened, so a rare chance to get the week you want

New Mill is a 7.5 acre exclusive mill lake with stunning lakeside accommodation and drive-and-survive options. It will be added to this website very shortly. You can get a great preview by clicking on the New Mill FaceBook page link below. Prices are based on lake exclusive for up to 4 people. Call 0044 756 406 1906 for more information.

Oakview Lake

Always worth asking to be put on the cancellation list

The Shirley Barker Legacy

So Shirley's legacy lives on in the business she created, in the house and land that she cherished, but most of all in the hearts of all of us who loved her. Thank you my sweet love - for everything you gave us.

Martin Barker 17th December 2020