Fish pie plan flounders (From Stroud News and Journal)

Fish pie plan flounders

A RESTAURATEUR'S hopes of upholding one of Gloucestershire's oldest traditions have run aground.

Arlingham restauranteur Somerset Moore who is a keen fisherman wants to present a lamprey pie to the Queen on her Golden Jubilee next year, on behalf of the City of Gloucester.

But Gloucester City Council is not keen on the idea and has turned down Mr Moore's request.

"It's just one fish," he said. "The council say they are endangered but it's not illegal to fish for them."

The eel-like fish was once commonly found in the River Severn and the custom of presenting a lamprey pie to the monarch dates back to Norman times.

Queen Elizabeth II received one on her Coronation, then again for her Jubilee in 1977.

It is not known whether she tucked in to the pie, although if Mr Moore is allowed to present one this time, it will be professionally prepared - he is a former chef and co-owner Arlingham's fish restaurant, The Old Passage.

But the council appear to be concerned that sending lamprey pie to the Queen might encourage people to fish for the endangered species.

Cllr Rose Workman, The Right Worshipful Mayor of Gloucester said: "The Environment Agency advised that lampreys are now an endangered species and indicated that, although this does not mean legal fishing cannot take place, doing so might give out the wrong message.

And he added: "The agency made us aware of an EC directive on this matter and the council has therefore decided it cannot sanction the use of this species for producing a pie."

On the advice of the Queen's Gloucestershire representative Lord Lt Henry Elwes, the council will be sending loyal greetings next year, so that she is not showered with presents from all over the county.

But undeterred by the council's response, Mr Moore is looking at other ways of getting hold of a lamprey and upholding the tradition.

"I understand that in Ireland there are so many of them that they are considered a pest," he said. "It wouldn't be a Gloucestershire lamprey but the pie would be made here."

*PICTURED: Lampreys can reach nearly 3ft long and have a sucking mouth which latches on to large fish and marine mammals. It opens a wound on the prey's skin and feeds on blood