Anyone interested in duck decoys and, in particular, the Hale Duck Decoy, should read the Duck Decoy Pond of Hale; a Rural Sketch by a Cosmopolitan.

In around 1871, a foreign visitor, stayed at Ye Childe of Hale (which is still in business in Hale Village, Cheshire, today). He was told about the local duck decoy and sort out James Unsworth, the gamekeeper, to arrange a visit to Hale Duck Decoy. He went on to write a very interesting and amusing account of the whole event.

He described James Unsworth as 'a well made and rather good looking-man of fair proportions' and his dog as a 'little Scotch terrier, of the pepper and mustard breed'. He went on to describe the location of the decoy and the drawbridge across the moat. He described the pond as 'a sweet little sylvan retreat for water-fowl, elves, fays, fairies, and sprites.'  He also described the pipes and how they were used to catch ducks.

He returned to the decoy on a second occasion, with a photographer, a Mr Mail, from Liverpool. He went on to dedicate his booklet to the Freemen of Hale and he set aside some of the profits from the pamphlet for a charity to be founded in Hale. The Liverpool Albion, June 19, 1871 wrote 'Cosmopolitan's brochure, The Duck Decoy of Hale, has met with a good reception, and its author has already paid £1 into the Postoffice Savings' Bank to the credit of the Educational Fund.' 

Some years ago the booklet was reproduced by The Hale Illustrated History and Lecture Group and a great grandson of James Unsworth is again planning to reproduce this delightful rural sketch.