Torridge Reflections Flies off the shelves
Charles Inniss’ new book “Torridge Reflections” arrived on schedule for the annual dinner of the Torridge Fishery Association at the Half Moon Inn at Sheepwash, a traditional fishing inn that Charles and his family ran for over 40 years.
However, this was a special year as the book signing preceded the dinner with a host of people arriving to collect their treasured tome from the middle of the afternoon.
The book was available in the forms, a deluxe leather bound in a slip case with a fly tied by Duncan Betts (pictured with Charles and his partner Muriel). Only 21 of these were produced at £395 each and these had all sold out. A special cloth bound volume in a slip case at £95 each (44 were produced) which again had all sold out prior to the dinner; and a hardback with a dust wrapper at £35 each. 285 of these have been produced and these again have all sold out shortly after the dinner. The second impression is now on order and will be delivered shortly for all those unlucky enough to miss the first edition.
Peter Lapsley, the well known angling author who had penned the foreword, was also able to join the event having travelled from London
Charles beavered away signing a steady stream of books (pictured with Sandy and Mrs. Arnold Round clutching her copy) until he was forced to take a break and prepare for the evening meal. The meal was al arranged with a seating plan so that the courses arrived warm and on schedule, and was very high quality fare as one would expect from a traditional fishing inn.
After the meal, Charles presented Duncan Betts with a leather bound copy in thanks for his work in tying the flies on a short timescale around the commitments of a young family. Sandy also presented Charles with a special copy in a solander “drop over” box embossed with his initials. Muriel, Charles long-suffering partner during the production, was presented with the original manuscript that was still coil-bound in a slip case. This really showed just how much work had been done in the two months from the start of the work to it being sent to the printers.
The happy evening; everyone joining in with Charles big event, went superbly and was finished off with a fundraising raffle.
If only all book launches could be this enjoyable for the author and the purchasers! Charles has set a standard that will be difficult to maintain.
Charles has decided that his proceeds from this edition should be donated in equal shares to Angling Heritage and the Torridge Fishery Association to fund their future projects.
Many thanks to Wayne Thomas for sending the photographs.