Really it's not too clear who this booklet was actually intended for or if the 'lecture notes' were ever used by anyone for the purpose intended (other than itinerant employees of the Herring Industry Board).

Reading this fascinating little booklet tells us everything we could want to know about herrings. It also conjures up strange images of the pre-television days, with the inhabitants of remote villages so bored with life that they are lured into a cold church hall to spend an hour or so learning all about the herring. Were they used to add new terrors to the idea of being banged up for life in Parkhurst, through some programme of 'improving lectures'? Perhaps they were used as well to turn bored school-children into suicidal school-children. Who knows?

The forward explains that the notes have been furnished to assist "those desirous of giving instruction on this subject to either juveniles or adults." and that "The wording has been rendered as simple as possible" so that the lecturer can "make such additions in respect of local colour as may be deemed suitable to the mentality of the audience addressed."