Madam Prunier Award - 1950

Doddo Sheppard

During the 1930's the herring industry, which was centred in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, was in decline. In 1935 Madame Simone Prunier opened a branch of the famous Paris restaurant Maison Prunier in London. Shortly after coming to London she was made aware of the plight of the East Anglian herring industry. Madame Prunier decided to award a trophy to the drifter that netted the highest crannage of herring in one shot, in one night. 

The trophy would be held for a year. With the trophy went a cash prize of £25, an invitation for the winning crew to dine at her restaurant in London whilst spending two days sightseeing in the capital all at her expense. The runner-up received a cash prize of £25. 

If an English boat took first prize then a Scottish boat took second prize and vice versa. The winner also received a weather vane to be fixed to one of the boat's masts.

The Trophy was competed for from 1936 to 1966.