The Dunstable & District Aquarist Society was formed in 1947. At that time, it was known as the Luton & District Pondkeepers and Aquarists Society. The man who started the society off was Wilfred Dacre.
Wilfred Dacre placed posters around the town advertising the fact that all interested parties should attend a meeting on Tuesday 28th February to start the society. Posters were also put up on the notice boards in Vauxhall Motors and Electrolux and adverts were placed in the local press.
About 30 people attended the inaugural meeting which was held in the biology room of the grammar school in Bradgers Hill, Luton. Mr Dacre gave a talk on the breeding and rearing of coldwater fish. A variety of tropical fish were exhibited by Doug Bloomfield along with a selection of coldwater fish owned by Wilfred Dacre.
The first committee was duly elected as follows: Chairman, Mr W.Dacre; Vice Chairman, Mr E.Thompson; Secretary, Mr R.Gee; Treasurer, Mr A.Brett; Committee members, Mr D.Bloomfield and Mr J.Leggett.
The membership fee was set at 10 shillings (50p) and about 60 members joined in the first year. The society met monthly at the grammar school which was of great benefit at the time due to the fact that no charge was made for the use of the room. This was because the society was considered to be educational.
Mr Dacre remained as Chairman for about 2 years after which time he left to help Captain Leonard Betts form the Goldfish Society of Great Britain of which he is still an honorary member today.
Mr. H. Morriss, of Letchworth (on the far right of the photograph above) was the speaker at the second meeting of the Luton and District Pond Keepers and Aquarists Society. Mr Morriss spoke on the breeding of Angelfish. He gave interesting details about the species, saying that they were difficult to breed, and it was not until 1917 that they were first bred successfully. The jar in the centre of the picture contained a breeding pair of Angelfish. Mr Morriss answered questions and was thanked by Doug Bloomfield.
