Growing Up With Boats ~ An autobiography - William (Billy) Stevenson - Edited by Margaret E.Perry

'This was my world and to this day I have never wanted any other'
So writes William (Billy) Stevenson in this book recording some of his memories for the first thirty years of his life in the fishing village of Newlyn. Born in to the firm of W. Stevenson & Son in 1928 his earlier recollection are of boats and fishing, they were to become his abiding passion. As a child he learned to swim and to scull a boat in the harbour, soon he was sailing his own small boat there. Helping the family fish stores or bakery, racing model yachts. for him this was an idyllic childhood.
Then came the outbreak of war. Fishermen in the naval reserve reported for duty, boats were commandeered for naval service. French and Belgium refugee arrived in the village and life changed rapidly. The home guard was formed and bombing raids took place. Through all this Billy Stevenson completed his school years and. in 1943, started fishing for pilchards in a family boat, the Girl Sybil.
By 1945 he had become fully integrated in the family firm and, as boats were released form the Navy, he was actively involved in building the Stevenson fleet.
This book is more than a record of the early year of one man, it paints an evocative record of a rapidly changing world mirrored in the life of a Cornish fishing village. Originally intended for circulation to his immediate family the writer has been persuaded that the book has a wider appeal.

To order a copy send a cheque of £15 (add £2 per book or £3 for addresses outside the UK - add a further £3 for addresses other than Europe if airmail is required) to: TREVOSE PUBLISHING - c/o W.Stephenson & Son, Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 5HW - tel: (01736) 362998

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