A Community Meets Izaak Walton

The Izaak Walton League’s Cottage Chapter is keeping the art of fishing alive near the town of Stafford. At the chapter’s annual Teddy Bears Picnic, families spend an afternoon on the grounds of the cottage once owned by Izaak Walton, which now houses a museum dedicated to Walton and the sport he loved.

Last summer, more than 400 children and adults enjoyed fun and games in the cottage garden, including a puppet show, face painting, story telling, craft stalls, and a bouncy castle for the younger family members. Families were encouraged to bring along a picnic, and admission was free if accompanied by a teddy bear. The chapter paid all expenses for the day, including parking facilities and Stafford Borough staff wages for the day. 

Not only did the event introduce members of the community to this lovely property and Izaak Walton’s legacy, children had a chance to learn about the joys of fishing at a fishing game fundraiser (the proceeds from which are used to fund other youth outreach projects). Funds raised last year will be used to build a natural arbor in the cottage gardens where visitors can sit in the shade and ­contemplate Walton and his works. “Study to be Quiet,” a famous Walton quote, will be cut into the seat in the arbor. The chapter plans to engage children from the nearby Walton Hall Community Special School – a school for children ages 11 to 18 with special needs – in the arbor project.