Blessing of the Nets, Paxton

Field recording of the traditional Blessing of the Nets ceremony that took place on the banks of the Tweed at Paxton on May 1st 2013. The Paxton netting station is one of the very few fisheries still operating this traditional net and cobble method of salmon and trout fishing. The first catch that evening was of two large and one smaller sea trout. The first fish is always for the Minister and this was gutted and cleaned on the river side by George Purvis. Thanks to the Minister Bill Landale, for permitting this recording and to Martha Andrews, Paxton House, for inviting us along. Recorded by Claire Pencak for 'Working the Tweed', an arts-science collaboration around the River Tweed catchment, supported by Creative Scotland for Year of Natural Scotland 2013. www.workingthetweed.co.uk