Chisel catch

16/02/2006

Fishing friends commissioned a unique carving to present to their retiring club patron.

The image of a salmon is created on a piece of reclaimed timber that had spent more than 150 years immersed by the tide in the river Tyne as part of the old South Shields harbour gates.

Sculptor David Gross, from Seaham, County Durham, scraped off the barnacles and set to work with his chisel and was delighted to find that he only had to cut an inch into the surface to get to clean hard timber.

And Sir Fred Holliday, retiring Chairman of Northumbrian Water - who has lived a lifetime of study, work and leisure linked to the world of water - was honoured to receive such a special gift.

Members of Northumbrian Water Game Angling Club (NWGAC) presented their patron with the heavy three-foot long carving - which is created to be displayed in the open air - at the club’s annual general meeting held at Northumbrian Water headquarters in Durham.

Sir Fred, who retires from the water company in July and now lives in Kincardinshire, said: “This fantastic salmon has migrated to Scotland and found a place in my water garden. It should prove a considerable challenge to my resident heron!

“I’m touched and delighted to be the proud possessor of such a splendid piece of sculpture.”

Alistair Baker, general secretary of the fishing club, pictured (left) with Sir Fred, said: “No club could wish for a finer patron than Sir Fred and it is fitting that we were able to mark our gratitude by giving him such a unique and modern piece of work which is, at the same time, steeped in history.”

 

 
For further details contact Alistair Baker on 0191-301-6851