Newlyn Fish Festival has raised nearly £3000,000 for the Fishermen's Mission in Cornwall. |
The organisers of Newlyn Fish Festival have announced the introduction of a fallow year in 2018 to enable them to develop the popular annual fundraiser for the Fishermen’s Mission into an even more dynamic celebration of the sea, Cornish seafood and Cornwall’s proud fishing heritage in 2019.
Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners (NPHC), led by harbourmaster, Rob Parsons are currently working hard to transform Newlyn Harbour into a modern, fit-for-purpose port that supports the development and sustainability of the Cornish fishing industry, and will launch its revitalised Fish Market later this year.
The completely refurbished fish market will be completed later this year. |
This investment in new infrastructure will provide Newlyn Fish Festival – which has been staged annually for 29 years – with more space, improved facilities and enhanced insight into the Cornish fishing industry for the thousands of visitors who pour into the historic harbour and enjoy this action-packed, one day event on August Bank Holiday Monday each year.
“Although we did not take the decision lightly to devote this year to revita;lising the festival for 2019 to dovetail with the exciting new developments at Newlyn Harbour, we are sure it is the right decision and will be of great benefit to those who take part and join us for this uniquely Cornish celebration.” explains Chairman of Newlyn Fish Festival ltd and Harbour Commissioner, Kevin Bennetts. “I am immensely proud to witness the many positive changes that are taking place in the harbour, all of which will make a positive difference to the livelihoods of our hardworking Cornish fishermen, who put to sea in all weathers to catch and land some of the best fish in the world. We plan to reconfigure the Newlyn Fish Festival to reflect this transformation and will return with an event that is even bigger and better in 2019.”
“We are delighted that the festival has raised over £250,000 for the Fishermen’s Mission to date and to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to the charity during 2018” adds Kevin Bennets. “Newlyn Fish Festival ltd finances and helps maintain the harbourside meeting place for migrant and retired fishermen – The Man-Shed to which we have recently donated £10,000.”
“We fully support this decision by Nelwyn Fish Festival Ltd and look forward to working in conjunction with them to revamp the event which raises much-needed awareness of the Cornish fishing fleet and funds for the Fishermen’s Mission.” adds Newlyn Harbour Master , Rob Parsons.
Two quintessential Newlyn Fish Festival traditions will still be observed in 2018 however. During the evening of Sunday, 25th of August, the board of Newlyn Fish Festival Ltd staff from the Fishermen’s Mission will gather at ‘Tom’, the Newlyn Green Memorial statue to read out the names of the many Cornish Fishermen lost at sea since 1945.
Following a traditional Blessing of the Fleet and remembrance service there will then be the usual, Last Night of the Proms-style celebration of Cornish songs at the Newlyn Centre complete with pasty supper.
Exhibitors and others who need to know more please email your questions to: enquiries@newlynfishfestival.org.uk
For the latest up-to-date information visit the Newlyn Fish Festival website