Many diary followers will know that we have been recording people and gathering information on the River Wye – my favourite river – to help Hereford Museum put on a display entitled “River Life” focusing on angling down the years.
Well, June 29th saw a prelaunch gathering where all concerned could attend a preview of the exhibition. In the centre was Major Booth’s pike which gave the impetus for the display as it was returned to the museum (after being restored) after having been stolen many years previously. It turned up in a local pub whose landlord had purchased it in all innocence and were helpful in ensuring the museum got it back.
Dilip Sarkar and Dr John Tate were also instrumental and Dilip gave an excellent speech to open the museum; we were delighted when he talked of the importance of angling history and of Angling Heritage and the work it is doing. Sarah Skelton, the museum organiser also thanked all concerned from the Angling Trust, Angling heritage and the Pike Angler’s Club for their efforts and help in pulling everything together, and without this support it just wouldn’t have happened.
The displays were wide ranging and eclectic including a couple of stuffed sturgeon, rare visitors to the river, plus other taxidermy and display of poaching equipment, reels, lures including the famous Hatton minnow. You can even hear Norman Owen talking through the manufacturing process on one of the recordings, and Ed Hatton talking about how Hatton’s the famous tackle shop in Hereford came into being. There are rods and a plethora of artworks with outstanding views of the river.
I think it is excellent that a museum has recognised the importance of angling to the area and its impact on the history of Hereford, and we anglers should all support it. It is free to get in, even though the Museum has been warned of a possible 100% budget cut over the next two years. So go along and show how important fishing is while supporting the museum too. It is through attendances that the powers that be can realise that these things are important and closing them will lose votes – the only thing that may change their mind so please go along.