Wellington Local History & Museum Society has many hundreds of photographs in its collection. They cover a wide range of locations and topics – with street scenes and public events being the most numerous.

Some, however, stand out for being unusual or even unique. One of those unique pictures is shown here. It was probably taken somewhere on Fox’s Tonedale factory site.

The wording is IN MEMORY OF CHARLIE THE DUCK 2.4.72 – 7.11.81, although the latter date is indistinct. Judging by the sharpness of the carving those dates would most likely be 1972 and 1981, not a century earlier.

The society does not have any information as to why Charlie was so highly regarded that someone went to the time and expense of giving him such an impressive and professionally carved memorial.

Neither the type of duck is known, a mallard perhaps, nor is the exact location of his grave recorded. It would be an object of interest if it were to be retained in any future redevelopment of the site – or, if that is too inconvenient, perhaps it could become a part of the society’s physical collection of local history artefacts.

Anyone who can add anything to the story of Charlie the Duck is asked to contact the society at [email protected] or drop a note in to 28 Fore Street. Anonymity is assured for anyone embarrassed by their involvement in commemorating a duck.

Colin Spackman