IZAAK WALTON'S COTTAGE BURNT

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 4, 5 July 1927, Page 17

IZAAK WALTON'S COTTAGE BURNT

Shallowford Cottage, a little half-tim-bered dwelling, a few miles to the north of Stafford, which was the home 270 years ago of Izaak Walton, father of' anglers ana the author of "The Cornpleat. Angler," was destroyed by fire recently. Only the outer walls of the buiiaijng remain. A spark, either from the chimney in the caretaker's quarters, or r passing train—the cottage is close to the main L.M.S. line—ignited the thatched roof. la spite of the efforts of the Eccleshall Fire Brigade the building was quickly burned out. All the effects of historic interest in the museum were safely removed, but the oia fireplace, which existed in Izaak Walton's time, was practically destroyed. Several years ago the cottage was in a ruinous state, but was restored at a cost of £570, and was reopened in April, 1924. ' The restoration, was in memoriam to the great angler. It was in 1644 that Izaak Walton, at the age of 51, retired from a business career in London to Shallowford, where he died in 1683 at the age of 90. He was buried in Winchester Cathedral.