18/08/2005 - On Saturday
20 August 2005, the Environment Agency will
be reopening a historic salmon hut at Newnham
on Severn.
We have restored the salmon hut and turned
it into a permanent exhibition as part of
our drive to preserve the unique salmon fishing
history of the Severn Estuary.
The event will start at 11:00 and local MP
Mark Harper, our Area Manager Toby Willison
and the Vice Chairman Peter Kavanagh of the
Severn Netsmans Association will be opening
the hut. Those attending the opening ceremony
will also get the chance to see how a traditional
putcher is made.
We own the salmon hut, which is a Grade II,
listed building. It was passed on to us from
Severn Trent Water Ltd and our predecessor
National Rivers Authority. We now hope to
bring new life to the property for public
use.
It was originally a salmon hut set on the
banks of the river. It was used to store equipment
upstairs, with a room downstairs for the salmon
fishermen to rest up while waiting for the
night tides.
We have modified the hut to become a small
information centre illustrating various salmon
fishing techniques unique to the Severn, many
of which are no longer practiced.
It is part of our wider plan, together with
various partners, to establish a heritage
trail linking together points of interest
on both sides of the river, including Lydney
docks, putcher ranks and geological and historical
points of interest. Timber from the Forest
of Dean was used for boat building, including
British galleons. Minerals such as coal and
iron ore were mined and shipped to out of
Lydney docks, to all points of the compass
so there is an interesting history to discover.
We have also acquired the last serviceable
‘stop boat’ on the Severn Estuary. This method
of fishing is unique to the Severn and several
rivers in south west Wales. At one time, anchored
boats across the estuary used their large
nets balanced by counterweights on beams to
catch the salmon.
On of our fisheries and recreation officers
involved in the project, Pat Hayes, says:
‘This building is an important part of the
heritage of the Forest of Dean and its traditions.
‘Our restoration and adaptation means that
the hut has also become a resource for by
local people and visitors to the area, giving
them the chance to discover about the history
of salmon fishing in the area and the methods
used. It’s great to see it open again and
hopefully it will be enjoyed by generations
to come.’
More Information:
The putcher is a funnel shaped fishing trap
made from willow and hazel. Individual putchers
are grouped together to form a fishing weir.
As the tide recedes the putcher ranks become
exposed and the fisherman would have to harvest
the fish before the tide turned, once again
engulfing the weir.
