A TOUR along a short stretch of the Severn in the Forest gave His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester a taste of the past, present and future of this part of Gloucestershire.

The afternoon took in stops at the Severn and Wye Smokery in Chaxhill near Westbury-on-Severn, the Victorian fish hut at Newnham and Glevum Windows at Broadoak.

The duke officially opened the new restaurant and fish market in a renovated barn as part of a tour of the smokers’ site led by owners Richard and Shirley.

He met expert staff and suppliers, including Severn and Wye’s award-winning fishmonger Clive Rowlands, elver fisherman Dave Smith and the team that built The Barn, literally brick by brick reclaimed from the old building.

The Barn opened in October last year after a three-year renovation by artisan craftsmen.

It features a fish market, gift shop, “chef’s larder” and café on the ground floor and, on the first floor, there is a restaurant and “theatre-style” kitchen.

Commemorative stone paving was ‘unveiled’ by the duke moving two traditional Severn lave nets.

The duke was greeted by pupils of Walmore Hill and Westbury Church of England primary schools as he arrived at the smokery.

Later some of them excitedly told him of the Eels in School project they are working on with the smokery to help conserve the fish.

The duke had a close encounter with an eel — although it did mean Mr Cook had to roll up his sleeves.

Mr Cook wore suit for the visit and the orignal plan was for him to use a net to ease the eel out of the tank.

But when the eel proved uncooperative there was nothing for it but to remove his jacket, roll up his sleeves and bring the fish out by hand.

The duke praised the “entrepreneurial” spirit on display at the smokers.

He said: “You have taken a natural Gloucestershire product, seen it is something the world needs and taken it there.

Mr Cook presented the duke with a salmon which had been caught five days before and smoked at the smokery.

The Fish Hut at Newnham is perhaps the best example of the shelters for fishermen built along the Severn over the last two centuries.

As well seeing the hut, which is a listed building, His Royal Highness also met some of the fishermen who are keeping traditional techniques alive.

He met with putcher maker Eric Jackson, lave net maker Bernard Screen, lave netters Jock Reeks and Mike Evans, long netters Geoff Everett and Keith Hadley, former boatmen Malcolm Cameron and Michael Taylor and putcher fishermen Chris and Andy Codogan.

Secretary of the Severn Estuary Fishermen’s Association, John Powell, said: “The event is believed to be the first occasion in which all five methods of catching salmon locally,have all been demonstrated at one time.”

At Glevum Windows, the duke was shown the construction site of the first window and door industry apprentice training centre in the south west.

His Royal Highness also presented long service awards to Brian Burrus, John Rose, Graham Rose, Phil Fear and Sue Jones.

He also cut a cake in the shape of a conservatory and was presented with a Gloucester rugby ball which reflects Glevum’s long-term association with the club.