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Photo: Weedon
Then came the day when an Officer from Northants Fire Brigade came to Weedon to check Fire Precautions. He went round all the Buildings counting the Fire Blankets, checking the Extinguishers, Pressing the Fire Alarms, etc. Then he checked the water in the surface water tank, and Percy, thinking it was lunchtime, swam towards him.
The Officer then seemed to have a small tantrum....
WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?, THIS IS AGAINST REGULATIONS, IF A SUCTION HOSE IS PUT IN THE TANK THE FISH WILL BLOCK THE PIPE. THERE WILL HAVE TO BE A REPORT.
It was obvious there would be smacks all round and tears before bedtime.
So we fished Percy (excuse the pun) out of the tank. We felt we could not put him back in the "cutting" so, sadly, he was knocked on the head. We took him, during the lunch hour, down to the pub at Weedon cross roads, where the A5 crosses the A45. We knew the Landlady because we celebrated "engagements, christenings, etc there. She offered to cook Percy for us and next day there was Percy, perfectly baked, with an apple in his mouth, on the bar counter, surrounded by Brussels sprouts and carrots. All the customers could help themselves, free of charge.
I do not know if you have ever tasted "baked pike" but from that day I am a Cod and Chips man myself.
Anyone who was at Weedon at that time will not forget Percy."
Acknowledgements:
1. John Maloney; article
2. David Partridge, photo source & copyright
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