A hell of a mesh

Simon Whitehead’s overworked long-nets need some TLC and who better to repair them than master net-maker Ian ‘Torchie’ Clayton?

- Simon Whitehead

Being born and bred on Teesside in the industrial northeast, I have an understanding of what it takes to graft for a living. A sense of gratitude, coupled with a deep appreciation of how valuable it was for these hard-working men and women to enjoy their downtime. Ferreting and working lurchers were too many as much about escape — the sense of freedom they felt from the pits, shifts, and factories — as it was about bringing food and a bit of money back home.

As I drove down the A19, A1, and M1, the heritage of the north was hard to ignore, even more so when I circumnavigated Sheffield. I was visiting my old friend and rabbiting guru Ian ‘Torchie’ Clayton. I had broken nets to fix.

Torchie earned his nickname through his love of lamping his lurchers and his nets are legendary. Tales of his adventures with his dog Dan have brought more smiles than he will ever know, and now Dan’s daughter and granddaughter bring the same joy. Torchie’s experienced hands have crafted more nets over more years than I care to remember. His knowledge and patience, alongside those of ‘Granda’ Bob Merrin, have helped form the cornerstone of my rabbiting life.

1 A hole caused by the sharp teeth of a rabbit

2 Torchie gets to work repairing the damage

3 After he has finished knitting, Torchie uses a lighter to melt the twine, preventing any slippage

4 Simon watches in awe as he holds a section of long-net to allow Torchie to work his magic

Works of art