9:50am Friday 5th March 2010
By Jon Livesey
A heritage plaque has been unveiled in memory of countryman and author Eric Halsall, co-founder of the TV series ‘One Man and His Dog’.
Mr Halsall lived in Cliviger and was deeply involved with Holme Sheepdog Trials Association.
Burnley Civic Trust is responsible for the heritage plaque attached to a building opposite the Ram Inn, in Burnley Road, Cliviger.
Mr Halsall became a famous face on TV in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, respected for his knowledge and commentary of sheepdog trials.
But the naturalist, author and journalist, who lived in Red Lees Road, died in 1996, after a short battle with illness.
Roger Frost, chairman of Burnley Civic Trust, said the Burnley-born agriculturalist was worthy of the commemoration.
He added: “I used to watch the programme most weeks and used to enjoys it, even though I was not a farmer or a dog lover to be honest.
“It was picturesque and interesting. Eric was well known and wrote widely about natural history in the area. He definitely deserves something.”
Roger said 30 plaques have been fixed at different landmarks in and around Burnley since the scheme was launched 15 years ago.
Any member of Burnley Civic Trust can suggest people, buildings or events to be commemorated with a plaque.
The organisation then seeks sponsorship to fund the scheme and liaises with the family of the subject to make it a reality.
Permission also has to be sought from the owners of the building where the trust would like to fix the plaque.
The plaque to commemorate Mr Halsall, who grew up in the Brunshaw area, is one of a handful being fixed this year.
Mr Halsall wrote a number of books on sheepdogs and was the Farmers' Guardian sheepdog correspondent from 1959.
In 1949 he became a member of the International Sheep Dog Society and went on to fill a director’s role for 21 years.
He was a regular judge at national trials, founder secretary and treasurer of the Holme Sheep Dog Trials Association.
And his first journalistic efforts were writing a Scouts column for the then Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Saturday night ‘Pink'.
He started a Scout troop at St Catherine's Church, Burnley, later becoming county press secretary.
But most people across the UK will remember him for providing commentary for the long-running series, presented by Phil Drabble.
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