"IT'S NEVER rained on August Bank Holiday Monday for the past 21 years," said Newlyn Fish Festival chairman Mike Collier as he welcomed the crowds to this year's event.
And true to form, the day was bathed in glorious sunshine as thousands flooded through the gates and onto the harbour to enjoy the port's 21st annual maritime, food and music festival.
Opened by Padstow chef Paul Ainsworth, the festival had added significance this year as it coincided with the centenary of the Ship Institute, which houses Newlyn's Fisherman's Mission. And organisers estimate that an increase in ticket prices and hundreds more people flooding through the gates could have doubled the amount of funds raised for the Mission compared to last year.
Buzzing
By the time the event was declared open at 10.15am there was already a healthy crowd gathering in Festival Square, where there was music throughout the day from bands such as The Cornish Wurzells, Penzamba and local choirs. Soon after, the cookery demonstrations began and the fish market was buzzing with people.
Sue Thomas, 59, from Ladock, came with a friend to the festival for the first time this year. She said: "I like the cookery displays – that is the main reason we came, to look at that. I think there are some really interesting ideas."
With stall places sold out weeks ago, there was a huge variety of local produce on offer, from hand-made jewellery and arts and crafts to clothing, books, hot and cold food and, of course, fish.
Carole Watts, 58, from Abingdon in Oxfordshire, said she and her family came to the festival every year.
"I like the fish auction," she said, "and I've picked up a couple of Christmas presents. I think it's more crowded this year. It is becoming more and more popular."
Secretary Steve Ryman said ticket sales were just over 7,300 and they estimated they had raised up to £15,000 for the Mission.
"I heard traffic was backed up to the A30," he said. "I have never heard of that before.
"The most important thing, as far as I'm concerned, is that the feedback has been almost 100 per cent positive. Many I have spoken with have said it has been the best ever. That is important because it means that it is a great community event and many will come back, enjoy themselves again and generate more money for the Mission. It is great for Newlyn, it is great for fishing and it is great for Cornwall."
He named his highlights as the children's Fishy Trail, which enables youngsters to get involved with the festival, identifying different fish around the harbour and collecting a prize donated by local businesses, the Fish Tales tent, with storytellers led by Angela Stoner, and the range of cookery demonstrations put on by various well-known chefs.
Lee Trethewey, from Bodmin, was crowned the 2011 Cornish Fishmonger of the Year and presented with his trophy by BBC Coast presenter, Nick Crane.
Laurel Eathorne, 72, sailed from Mylor to the fish festival as he has done for the past seven years. He said: "It is better this year. I think there is a lot more going on. There are a lot more youngsters taking part and old fishing boats."
And Jeannette Bancroft, 69, from Penzance, said: "It is brilliant because the weather's lovely. It is just a nice day out."
There were queues across the square for ice cream and lemonade and many food stalls had sold out by 3pm.
Miki Ashton, who runs the Lime Tree catering company, said: "It has been brilliant. We've not done it before so we had no idea what to expect. But it has benefited us and all the local businesses where we buy our fish from."
Kay Bolt and Tiggy Elliott, who run Cornish Fusion Fish, based in Newlyn, said: "It has been wonderful. It is great for everybody. It makes people appreciate what fishing is all about. People are much more adventurous with their fish nowadays. From a business point of view we are showcasing Newlyn and Cornwall. It is something we are enormously proud to be able to do."
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN