The launch of the 2004 Duchy Fish Quota Company calendar at Newlyn Fish Festival on Bank Holiday Monday was a resounding success! "The Return of the Naked Fishermen" proved a huge crowd pleaser, promoted by Duchy Fish Quota Company director, David Muirhead, who appears on the calendar as "Mr May."
He said: "My photo was taken in Falmouth Bay early one morning by photographer Phil Lockley who caught me with a fine pair od spider crabs.
"It was all in a good cause and luckily no damage was done to life and limb."
Nearly 400 calendars were sold the first day of trading and 85 items of merchandise include t-shirts, sweatshirts and sailing pennants, raising £2,600 towards the purchase of fish quota.
Colin Warwick, chairman of the quota company, said he was delighted with the response.
"This is a light-hearted way of raising money for a serious cause - to buy fish quota to lease to Cornish fishermen.
"By increasing the amount of quota available to fishermen in the county we can all help to keep Cornwall fishing."
St Austell Brewery has generously helped to sponsor the cost of producing the calendar by adding a taste of "fish and fine ales" from around the county to the calendar.
Each month features a colour photo of naked fishermen taken around the coast, their modesty protected by some strategically placed local fish!
Complimenting this is a photo of the nearest St Austell pub serving the local catch of the day with a pint of Tribute Premium Cornish Ale.
Some intrepid volunteer photographers supplied photography and the quota company would like to thank the team at Absolute Design in Truro for their support and inspiration in putting the calendar together - and of course, to the fishermen themselves.
Anyone wishing a calendar should send a cheque for £6 plus £1 postage and packing per item, to Duchy Fish Quota Company, Trevint House, Strangways Villas, Truro, TR1 2PA or call 01872-270333.
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