Back in January 2024, we shared the sad news that Richard Slocock had passed away. Richard was a pioneer of catch-and-release wild trout fishing, and a tireless champion of chalk streams. In the mid-1990s, he joined forces with Charles Rangeley-Wilson to found what would become the Wild Trout Trust. He would remain a great friend of our charity for many years, and was a tremendous advocate while serving as our Chair.
This month, we honoured Richard’s memory by placing a splendid carved limestone memorial bench outside St Laurence’s Church in Affpuddle — right on the banks of the River Piddle. This beautifully wild chalk stream was especially beloved by Richard; he managed Dorset fisheries for more than 40 years, taught others how to fish in their waters, and was affectionately called “the Guardian of the Piddle”.
Friends, family, and Wild Trout Trust members gathered to unveil the bench, which was gorgeously sculpted by Simon Burns-Cox. Charles Rangeley-Wilson spoke movingly in Richard’s memory, as did another dear friend, Charles Dutton. Everyone was given a lovely engraved pint glass, to commemorate the day.
We then reconvened for lunch at Richard’s home, in the wonderful company of his wife Sally and their family, before enjoying an afternoon of peak mayfly fishing (the proceeds from which helped to fund the bench and the event itself). While the cool and blustery weather presented a challenge, we all had great fun and left with plenty of stories to tell at the pub thereafter.
Our warmest thanks to everyone who made this such a special day: Sally and her family, Charles Rangeley-Wilson, Charles Dutton, Louise Dutton, Simon Burns-Cox, Grassby’s of Dorchester, Fulling Mill for providing the flies, our expert fishing guides (Ronnie Butler, Ian Pople, and David Burton), Trevor Prince of Dorchester Fishing Club, and the kind folks at St Laurence’s Church.
