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Thousands of people have flocked to a celebration of fishermen,
the fishing industry and the rich harvest that comes from seas around
the Westcountry's coastline.
More than 21,000 local residents and visitors enjoyed bright sunshine
at the Newlyn Fish Festival at Newlyn Harbour yesterday.
The annual event is a popular means of fundraising to help protect
the local fishing industry, and to boost the image and work of the
Fisherman's Mission.
Stalls selling food, drink and clothes and other items lined the
harbour as musicians played songs with a nautical theme to the crowds.
Kevin Williams, site manager at the Fisherman's Mission, said:
"It's been a great day. The weather has been with us and as
ever people have turned out to help support the event. It is vital
that events like this have the public behind them to show their
support for the fishermen, who keep the industry going."
More than 100 boats work out of Newlyn, making it the busiest fishing
port in England.
This year's event coincided with the SeaBritain 2005 celebrations.
There were a number of attractions at the festival with a nautical
theme including demonstrations by net menders and knot makers, and
a fish auction. Some of the port's fishing boats allowed the public
to come on board for a closer look at how they operate.
The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Michael Savory,
was special guest at the event. Mr Savory has been on the council
of the Fishermen's Mission for many years and annually launches
an appeal to help support the Mission's work.
"My heart is very close to Cornwall's fishing industry,"
he said. "Over the years I have spent a lot of time in this
area, both on business and for pleasure.
"It has been a tremendous day today and a lot of people have
worked very hard to make it happen and they should be congratulated.
"It's vital we do all we can to support our fishermen because
of the valuable contribution they make, and have made to the country.
The Fisherman's Mission is the only charity devoted to the welfare
of British fisherman and their families. The Mission gives financial,
practical and spiritual help to working, retired and disabled fishermen,
their wives, widows and children, and depends entirely on voluntary
donations.
There were long queues as locals and holidaymakers waited to go
into the festival. Claire Henderson, 45, a shop worker from Birmingham,
is holidaying in Cornwall with her husband, Laurence, 40 and their
two sons, David, nine and Bradley, eight. She said the fish festival
was a great opportunity to bring her sons to the event, since living
in land-locked Birmingham meant they had no experience of the sea.
"They know fish comes from the sea but we want them to learn
about how much work goes into bringing it from the water to the
dinner table. It's been a fabulous day," she said.
article copyright © WESTERN MORNING NEWS
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