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The West Cornwall fishing industry was celebrated by the thousands of
visitors that flocked to the Newlyn Fish Festival on Monday. In
brilliant sunshine the 16th annual event was once again embraced by
large bank holiday crowds who came to take in the sights, sounds and
smells of the working harbour.
First
held in 1991, the festival is an important fundraiser for the Newlyn
branch of the Royal National Mission to Deep-sea Fishermen. The day
regularly attracts 20,000 visitors and this year was no exception as
festival goers strolled around market stalls, enjoyed musical
entertainment, sampled all manner of seafood and received an insight
into the fishing industry.
The festival was opened by Lady Mary
Holborow, the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, who told the crowds that she
was delighted to attend a day that was so valuable in recognising the
importance of fishing to Newlyn and Cornwall.
The platform was
then given over to Newlyn Male Voice Choir, just one of the acts
providing musical entertainment throughout the day.
Elsewhere
the North Pier was packed with craft stalls and local and national
charities were represented along the length of the Mary Williams pier.
Visitors
also had the chance to cast their eyes over the vast fleet of fishing
vessels tied up in the harbour or take a closer look aboard the
Sapphire which skipper Michael Corin had opened for the day.
In the fish market itself the main talking point of the day was a carefully laid out display of fish landed at Newlyn.
Albacore
tuna, crab, lobster, whiting, brill, John Dory, wrasse, Dover sole,
mackerel, sardines and of course Cornish pilchards were among the
species on display in one of the new fridge rooms at the market.
Among
the interested admirers was Lady Holborow, who said: "The highlight for
me is seeing the array of fish on display. I think it's a wonderful
opportunity for members of the public who don't normally have the
chance to see fish in its raw state, and then appreciate it and learn
how to cook it, all in this outstanding setting at the harbour."
Visitors
would have left with plenty of ideas on rustling up an exotic fish
supper, with food very much the order of the day in the market.
Seafood
Cornwall took the lead on educating visitors with presentations on the
'net-to-plate' story, a filleting demonstration by fish merchant Robin
Turner and crab-picking demonstration by staff from W Harvey and Sons.
During
the afternoon Keir Meikle, head chef of the Navy Inn, Penzance led a
team of chefs preparing a variety of mouthwatering fish dishes.
Festival
goers were left spoilt for choice for lunch as the likes of barbecued
pilchards, Goan mackerel curry and crab rolls ensured hunger was kept
at bay. Working up an appetite in the harbour itself were the crew of
the Penlee Lifeboat, who put on a rescue demonstration, and local gig
teams, who provided a competitive edge to the festival.
Fighting
it out for the Trafalgar Trophy, the rowers took on a three-mile course
around Mount's Bay in a race eventually won by Kensa from the Mount's
Bay club - the first vessel through the harbour entrance.
Local maritime heritage was celebrated on the day with two historic boats on display to the public.
During
the blessing of the fleet service the previous evening the 125-year-old
lug rigged St Ives mackerel driver Barnabas was rededicated. The vessel
which was restored by the Cornish Maritime Trust was then on show
during Monday to give visitors an insight into maritime heritage and
the role that fishermen play to this day.
Also on display was the progress of restoration work on the 110-year-old lugger Ripple.
David Whitehead, Fishermen's Mission Superintendent at Newlyn, said the whole day had been a huge success.
He
added: "It's important for us to raise funds and tell people about the
work we do, but more important it's a really good opportunity to
showcase the industry to visitors to the area.
He added: "The
very valuable volunteers who put a lot of hours and hard work into
making the festival happen deserve our appreciation and our
recognition."
Article copyright THE CORNISHMAN
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