When froggy went a-courting ...and spawned an army of amphibians

© Western Daily Press, 19 February 2002

Sheila Crown hops swiftly away whenever she sees a slimy, croaking frog heading in her direction.

But when it comes to frogs of a different kind - the cuddly toy or ornamental variety - then she cannot resist them. Sheila's passion for inanimate amphibians knows no bounds. In 22 years she has collected more than 10,000 ordered through catalogues, shops and via friends and family.

She houses them in a special froggery - a converted 2,700 sq ft granary next to her detached house in Baydon, near Marlborough, Wiltshire. Now the self-confessed frogophile intends to share her passion with the public by opening FrogsGalore, Britain's first frog museum.

She said: 'My collection of frogs has just spawned and spawned - it's impossible to stop them.'

Sheila's army of frogs includes dozens of Kermits, Mr Jeremy Fishers and Toads of Toad Hall, along with an untold number of froggies going a-courting. Her frogs range from 2mm to 2 metres.

The collection started innocently enough in 1976 with an ornamental china frog to go in a green study.

But by 1997 mother-of-three Sheila had around 8,000 frogs which had completely taken over the family's London home.

They moved to a converted farmhouse in Wiltshire and it took removal men several days to pack up the frogs and take them West.

It then took Sheila nine months to unpack them.

Yesterday Sheila's frogs numbered 10,454 - but these do not include several she has acquired over the past few days.

Top frog Kermit is due to open FrogsGalore on Sunday, May 12, 2002. Entry will be free.