THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. | |
| At Angmering, 4 miles ENE. from Little Hampton, and about 3 miles E. of Arundel Castle, is a small Decoy the property of the Duke of Norfolk, but not at present used. It has been in existence for over a century. It was held for sixty-five years by a Dr. Knight, who was succeeded by a Mr. Snelgrove. It was next part of the Mitchelgrove estate, which was purchased by the then Duke of Norfolk, from a Mr. Walker, in 1832. In 1849 or 1850 his Grace replanted it and made new pipes. Two of these are of iron, and a third has wooden hoops for the netting. It was disused as a Decoy in 1868, and has since that date only been visited for shooting. The Decoy proper is about an acre in extent, and it and the ponds adjoining are fed by natural streams. No regular records have been kept of the fowl captured, but according to a statement of the late Decoyman, the largest number ever taken at one time amounted to rather more than 50. This Decoy was constructed to supply Arundel Castle with wildfowl, but as it had occasionally large takes when they were not required, and at other times produced no birds when most desired, it was given up to the sport of shooting instead of Decoying. The Decoy is within half a mile of the village from which it takes its name. The following letter (dated 1825), alluding to this Decoy, written by the late Joseph Hume, M.P., the well-known statesman and author, to a friend in Norfolk, is well worthy of insertion here:- "There is a Decoy at Angmering, about 5 miles from Worthing and the same distance from Arundel. It is a quarter-mile south of the Brighton and Arundel road, and 3 miles from the sea. It has been established for two centuries, and from November to March supplies all the neighbourhood with Ducks, Teal, and Wigeon . . . . . "There were formerly four pipes, but there are only three now. The pool is square, of about 1 acre, in a hollow surrounded by plenty of trees of different kinds, and is a secluded, quiet spot. There is a small rill of water runs down the hollow, and two or three large fishponds are on the N E. of it, from which, one year with another, 8 cwt. of fish are drawn. ". . . . The Decoy pool has a strong spring of water in it, and they have the power of raising the water 12 in. or 14 in. when required. "One man has attended this Decoy for fifty years, and his son is now assisting him. | |
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