Willow will keep Ralph’s memory alive by the river

The tree has been planted alongside the Oakley Stream - a stretch of water Ralph Collins cherished and looked after for 42 years.

Ralph, who was born in Dunbridge and lived there all his life, died in March aged 68.

On Sunday afternoon Ralph's wife, June, unveiled a memorial plaque to him and family members placed soil around the base of the willow tree in a ceremony arranged by the Mottisfont Fly-Fishing Club and the National Trust.

The tree has been planted next to a seat bearing a memorial to the late Lady Ann Aisher, who fished the stream under Ralph's watchful eyes. Lady Aisher's husband, Sir Owen, was Ralph's boss.

Mottisfont Fly-Fishing Club chairman Mike Johnson told guests attending the ceremony, held during the organisation's annual fishing lunch, that the riverside garden at Oakley Fishing Hut was the ideal place to plant the tribute tree.

"We are here today to remember Ralph. Lady Aisher fished this part of the river and the person who was at her shoulder to help her fish was Ralph. He was a tremendous fly-fishing teacher. When Sarah (Mike's partner) and I moved into the village one of the first people we met was Ralph and he made us truly welcome," said Mike.

Thanking the fishing club and the National Trust for arranging the tribute, Ralph's brother, Gordon, said: "As a family we really appreciate this. It is going to be a very special tree and it will keep Ralph's memory alive. This is a beautiful spot and it was Ralph's pride and joy. He loved the job and this area."

"We have had absolutely wonderful tributes to Ralph and I feel very proud of him," said June, speaking after unveiling the plaque.

Ralph's son, Graham, and his wife, Diane, and the couple's two children, Daniel and Emma, were also present.

Graham said: "This is a fitting tribute to dad. It's unbelievable." Graham and his brother-in-law, Matt Jeans, have been asked to look after another stretch of water on the River Test at Mottisfont - once in Ralph's care.

"We are keeping the Collins tradition going and are really pleased about it. Matt and I are doing it in our spare time. When dad died, Mr Costain and Lady Aisher's son, Robin, asked us if we'd do it," said Graham.

Ralph's daughter Ann Jeans, who lives not far from the Oakley Stream with husband Matt and their two-year-old son Liam, added: "It was a very nice tribute to my dad. People have been very kind."

The National Trust's Mottisfont Estate manager Alison Evans said Ralph had left behind a lasting legacy on the river.

"The National Trust is pleased and privileged to be involved in the tribute to the life and work of Ralph Collins on the River Test fishery. A major part of the way in which the river wildlife has recently prospered and developed further its reputation for top-quality fishing is due to the foundation created by Ralph," said Alison.

Robert Brydges from Mottisfont-Fly Fishing Club gave a potted history of Ralph's life working on the Oakley Stream at the start of the club's annual lunch held in a barn at Oakley Farmhouse. He said Ralph was the last of only four headwater keepers on the Oakley Stream during the last century and he looked after the river for 42 years until he retired in 2004.

Mr Brydges said "Ralph was a famous and much-loved character and an absolute legend not only in Mottisfont but right up and down the Test Valley. This was borne out at his funeral at Romsey Abbey. There were about 800 people there."