What a beautiful crisp morning December 13th was, brightened by the sunshine to help celebrate the launch of the Golden Anniversary Edition of No Need To Lie. 

As we arrived at quarter to twelve, several kind gentleman assisted us with bringing in the books.  These turned out to be some of the anglers who’d come for the launch.  We had also prepared a few posters for the boards behind where we’d be signing, and as I unfurled them on a table, I noticed the group of four who had helped were looking over, from just behind me.  There were positive sounding noises as they drew in closer, but I wasn’t sure.

I took up one of the posters and made my way over to boards and reached for a drawing pin.
“No, don’t use drawing pins!”  Came several voices.

(Anthony Chillingworth getting signatures for his copy of  Richard Walker - Biography of An Angling Legend by Barrie Rickards - Medlar Press. www.medlarpress.com / Simon, Pat and Robert Walker - photo by Roy King)

At this point, I figured they approved and it indeed turned out to be the case, when they later asked about how to obtain one or all of them!  As we had only thought as far as the launch, we said we will look into it.

We organised the table laying out the cloth bound books nicely but didn’t manage to get the leathers out of the cardboard box as a queue was forming, so we got cracking with signing and handing over people’s orders.  Anglers had travelled from near and far to collect the numbered copies they had reserved, with a few deciding to get extra copies on the day!  We also had the support of family and friends. 

(Terence Greenslade, SW, PW, RW - photo by Roy King)

(Dave Ivey, Antony Chillingworth, SW, Stefan Reed, PW, John White, RW - photo by Roy King)

Stefan Reed had travelled from Chelmsford to collect his copy, bringing with him his copy of Spin Me A Line - Fishing For Fun with Dick Walker.  His delight in meeting Ted Andrews (the artist who did the cover illustration and cartoons for the book, www.tedart.co.uk) was plain to see.  Getting it signed, well, he looks dead chuffed in the picture doesn’t he!

(Stefan Reed with Ted Andrews - photo by Roy King)

3pm came around only too quickly, but we did have the opportunity to chat to many people, who were keen to find out the inside story of this new edition.  Also to find out what we may have in the pipeline.  We were also able to have a few back to the house, where they had some time out back by the River Ivel and then in Dick’s old study, but which still has his working library, many pictures, tackle and many other angling related items.  A few photos were taken and some fun had re-creating the shot of Dick holding The Shell Book of Angling, rounding off the day nicely.

Once again, thank you to all those who came and made it a very special day.