HOWARD NORFOLK (1944 to 2006) - A TRIBUTE

By David Marshall

In early February 2006 I was one of a small number of 'Friends of Aquarticles' to receive, through the postal system, a beautifully illustrated book entitled 'My Life' by Howard Norfolk. The 80 pages tell the story of how Howard was born in Northampton, enjoyed school days in England but then emigrated to Canada where work was mixed with a whole array of hobbies that included angling, golf, mountaineering, antique collecting and, of course, keeping fish.

An avid aquarist since 1976 Howard, with the help of computer expert Glen Platt, opened the Aquarticles web-site (www.aquarticles.com) on April 28th 2001. The idea was to collect as many aquarium articles, in the English language, as possible and for these articles not only to be open to internet users but also to the Newsletter Editors of non-profit making aquatic groups who would then print these articles in their publications sending to the Authors 'writers copies' in exchange.

The site was a success right from the start and after 'begging' the starter articles it was not long before writers from throughout Canada, the U.S.A., Australasia, India and the U.K. began submitting contributions and this set the tone for what would become a truly international site. By February 2006 the site was averaging 5,000 individual visits each day amounting to 2,900,00 hits per month. Web-site Managers from around the World had received permission to translate a number of the almost 1,000 articles now available on Aquarticles, into 11 languages. As with all ventures of this type keeping a watch on the abuse of material was never easy but through his own hard work and a whole network of contacts Howard worked really hard to stop any 'piracy' in its tracks.

I first made contact with Howard following a piece about Aquarticles in the F.B.A.S. Bulletin. From the very first article I submitted, an 'e-mail pen friendship' with Howard was established which would lead to Majid Ali, Gerry Hawksby and myself submitting a large number of articles, which were always greatly received, under the Ryedale Aquarist Society banner. Now I have to say that sometimes Howard was a little 'pushy' as regards our articles but this was nothing more than sheer enthusiasm to increase our output of work.

In return Howard had such a faith in me that I was given the chance to proofread many of his wonderful travel articles before these were 'posted' onto the Aquarticles site. As Howard loved receiving complimentary copies of our monthly magazine, Ryedale Reporter, he sent to me a huge collection, via e-mail, of fish photographs he had taken with the express wish that these should be 'used for Reporter and as illustrations for talks given by David Marshall only' and for this I say THANK YOU.

Towards the end of 2005 Howard invited Gerald Jennings of the Calypso Organization (who give great help to Greenpeace) and myself to become the U.K. representatives on the 'Board of 10 voluntary executives of Aquarticles' and this honour the both of us greatly accepted. With the help of his family Howard secured the Aquarticles domain for many years to come and found a 'friend' in Vancouver to keep adding newly submitted material.

Following a short illness Howard passed away on the 17th February, 2006 leaving a legacy that had seen him create what will go down as one of the great aquatic web-sites making access 'free' to all those who wish to visit. I miss our e-mail communication and am sad that I never actually got the chance to meet this gentleman of great vision.

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