by George Stewart, Jean Gidman and Ron Black

The book is no longer in print but the ebook is available from : Amazon : Smashwords : and all major ebook retailers.

'And there is no candidate for his mantle'

This book attempts to tell the story of Robert "Bobby" Troughton, 1835-1912, using material written at the time. Bobby was a remarkable man. In a time of poverty and hardship he achieved fame, but not perhaps great fortune, leaving a legacy in the buildings and bridges he built, which are still visible in Kendal today. The town in which he lived has, for the most part, forgotten him or is indifferent. The local museum has no display and had never heard of him when I visited, despite the probability of his first and last hunt being from the bonded warehouse he built on the banks of the River Kent only yards away. He deserves better - perhaps this book will help.

This collection of records, from court appearances to grand rescues, gives an insight into the character, humour and struggles of a man who left a legacy in the town of Kendal (Cumbria, UK) with his construction work, as well as his passion for otter hunting and establishing one of the foremost hunting packs in the otter hound world.

Published: November 2012 Words: 64,000 (approximate)

George Stewart
31/10/15

It is with immense sadness that I have to record the death after a long illness of my friend, George Stewart.

George was the main compiler of material for the book Bobby Troughton and the Kendal Otterhounds which we wrote together with Jean Gidman. The book sold out both print runs and was well received.

There is much I could say about George's help, kindness and warmth but for me his epitaph is...

A guy came up to me one morning on the fell and after inquiring who I was shook my hand and said, "There is a lot about my grandfather in your book I didn't know - thank you."

... all down to you, George.

Ron Black

Review by Pam Marston-Pollock
Chairman of The Otterhound Club UK, November 2012

Bobby Troughton, a legendary figure, whose name may have been lost in the dusty archives, had it not been for the authors bringing to life a 19th century Kendal and their everyday ‘goings on’.

This collection of records from court appearances to gallant rescues gives an insight into the character, humour and struggles of a man who left a legacy in the town of Kendal in his construction work, as well as his passion of otter hunting and establishing one of the foremost hunting packs in the Otterhound world.

This book gives vivid accounts of those meets in Cumberland and Westmoreland and further. It is clear that Bobby Troughton earned the utmost respect of those around him for his flair as a successful and talented huntsman, turning out an effective pack of hounds in the ‘best of order’, The history of the Kendal pack from its beginnings through to the establishing of the Kendal & District pack may not have happened without Bobby Torughton’s burning desire as a youngster to hunt Otters.

With that our heritage of sporting pastimes would have been sorely reduced and indeed the preservation of one of our oldest British breeds, the Otterhound, may have been in doubt. A legendary figure indeed.