Time to reinvigorate Newlyn Fish Festival!

Following two fallow years and the Newlyn Fish Festival committee’s recent decision to hand over the baton, Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners (NPHC) aim to reinvigorate this popular annual fundraiser for the Fishermen’s Mission if there is sufficient interest from local fishermen, fish suppliers and chefs to help transform it into an even more dynamic celebration of the sea, Cornish seafood and Cornwall’s proud fishing heritage.

Harbour Master and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rob Parsons is now seeking expressions of interest from local partners to form a new committee with the aim of assessing the viability of reintroducing the event in the future.

“Newlyn Fish Festival is an action-packed, one-day event that has attracted thousands of visitors to our historic harbour for 26 years, raising an impressive £250,000 for the Fishermen’s Mission in the process,” explains Rob. “The previous committee has done an incredible job but feels it is now time for someone else to take the helm. As Harbour Master, I feel it is my responsibility to do so if there is sufficient interest from the local fishing industry and other interested parties to work with us to create an event that builds on the successes of the past and sustains it for the future.”

The Harbour Commissioners’ recently transformed Newlyn Fish Market would provide a new-look Fish Festival with more space, improved facilities and enhanced insight into the Cornish fishing industry, which the Harbour Master believes to be even more important in this era of Brexit-related uncertainty.

“The Harbour Commissioners are committed to providing fit-for-purpose facilities and services that support the development and sustainability of the local fishing industry and with all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, it is even more vital for us to try and make a positive difference to the livelihoods of our hardworking fishermen, who go out to sea in all weathers to catch and land the best fish in the world,” Rob concludes. “We look forward to hearing from anyone who shares our vision to recalibrate this uniquely Cornish celebration that raises much-needed awareness of the Cornish fishing fleet and vital funds for the Fishermen’s Mission. 

Please contact me at the Harbour Office by emailing info@newlynharbour.com or phone 01736 362523 to pledge your support.”

Newlyn Fish Festival is on Monday!

Don't forget - it's the biggest day of the year for the port of Newlyn on Monday - bring your friends and enjoy everything the fish festival has to offer!

For more information head over to the Fish Festival website.

Tiz the night before the #FishFestival in Newlyn

Just a couple of mackerel to keep the grand kids happy...

then on to the next course, images of beef burgers (even though they are hand made) banned by the management!  ;-)

Fishing for hake aboard the Ajax from Newlyn, 30 miles WNW of the Scillies

Landing at 9am on Bank Holiday Monday morning in time for the 22nd Fish Festival, the Newlyn netter Ajax put over 30 boxes of fish ashore after a lightning two day trip in order to land top quality hake for use on displays and the fish filleting competition.  Festival organisers were lucky enough to have Cornophile Caroline Quentin on hand to perform the opening ceremony and she also made time to watch the crew of the Ajax land their fish alongside the market. Expect to see footage of her talking to the crew and skipper Alan Dwan in her forthcoming TV series on ITV later this year.

Soundtrack:

Buccas Four - Spirit of the Sea
Breanda Wotton - To the Sea - Lamorna
Marta Sebestyen - When Morning Breaks
Brenda Wotton - The First Time Ever
Marta Sebestyen - The Rooster is Crowing
Michael Chapman - The Wind has Changed

Pictures from Newlyn Fish Festival 2011

Good news for Newlyn Fishermen's Mission - talks are underway that might see the Fish Festival expand and run over the entire Bank Holiday weekend in future - Harbourmaster Andrew Munson will be delighted!

Opening this year's festival, Padstow chef Paul Ainsworth from his No6 Restaurant (a winning finalist on the Great British Menu earlier this year) did the honours and gave an affirmative speech on what makes Newlyn and Cornwall special in the culinary world - top quality local produce sourced from fish markets and farms around the county.

View the Fish Festival image gallery here.

A few of the fishiest fish bits of this year's Newlyn Fish Festival......

Seafood and Eat it........

Finalists in the first Cornish Fishmonger of the Year Competition.

This year saw Cornwall Seafood's first fish challenge that brought together six fish filleters from local companies in close competition. The even was judged by Duncan and Sue Lucas from Passionate about Fish along with programme leader Annie Sibert from Seafood Cornwall Training.

View the Fish Festival image gallery here.

Early worms catch the fish - looking towards Newlyn.

Newlyn Fish Festival - all set!

 The Dock Inn in Penzance has music for all and more besides it seems.......

 but not gold-plated windows like St Mary's Church......

 so that's how they keep the boats away.......

 over in Newlyn the public will be kept from falling in the harbour by barriers......

not by one but two rows......

 stalls at the ready.......

 always time for a cuppa George......

 not so Royden with plenty still to do.......

 though the lorry park is finally washed down and the stage all set........

 good to see Mr Corin has put the effort in and is covering the boat in bunting and flags......

the oldest lugger without an engine in town, Guide Me.......

two fresh paint jobs in the netter fleet.

Coming this Bank Holiday weekend - Newlyn Fish Festival 2011

Duncan and Sue Lucas from Passionate About Fish will introduce you to one of the biggest displays of fish you’re ever likely to see!

Don't miss the chance to celebrate all things fishy on August 29th in one of Cornwall's most distinctive and original fishing ports.  Satisfy your appetite with the best seafood you can get whilst enjoying great cooking demos, live entertainment or bidding at the seafood auction.

August Bank Holiday Monday sees the annual Cornish celebration of the sea, fishing and seafood at the 21st Newlyn Fish Festival, where you will find more fish than you can shake a mermaid’s tail at!

Click here for information and entry times
Click here download the official programme for this year
Click here for the latest press release!

Chef Paul Ainsworth to open this year's festival!

Renowed and TV celebrity Chef Paul Ainsworth will be opening the Newlyn Fish Festival at 10:00 am. Paul was selected to compete to represent the South West in the finals of the Great British Menu against some of the most respected chefs in the country.

The festival is in aid of the Fishermen's Mission in Newlyn which plays a vital role in supporting fishermen and other seafarers who use the port.

Fishstock Brixham 2011

 FOUR WEEKS TO GO! - if you happen to be up in you'm we'm land (South Devon that is) make a beeline for Brixham's big fish fest of its own.

Tension is mounting and the crew are getting very excited as plans start to gel for this year’s Seafood and Music Celebration of the fishing industry and maritime heritage of Brixham, with the aim to raise much-needed funds for the Fishermen’s Mission. With only 3 weeks to go ‘til Saturday 10th September, festival committee chairman and local fishing industry spokesman, Jim Portus revealed some of the tempting details of the one-day extravaganza that transforms the new Fish Market Hall into an exhibition centre and the Quayside into Seafood Cookery Kitchens of the highest quality.

Speaking after the penultimate meeting of the organising team, Jim said, “We seem to have most of the ducks-in-line for a great late-summer day out for all the family in this jewel-in-the-crown of Torbay that is Brixham. “Stagecoach SW will be running Park & Ride buses all day and to Midnight from Churston Park & Ride Car Park to the Town Centre, so there’s no need to worry about congestion! Why not take the Ferry from Torquay, with Greenway Ferry & Pleasure Cruises or Western Lady Ferries? “We have a team of Brixham chefs, including Rob Bateman, Andy Sewell, Gordon Gout and Simone Cook whose Fishstock Brixham Piazza this year is sponsored by Kitsons Solicitors. Visitors can expect the finest local fresh fish cooked to perfection al-fresco under the Kitsons Marquees. Brixham Sea Farms and River Teign Shellfish will provide the Mussels. Blue Sea Food Co, Really Interesting Crab Co and the Potted Crab Co will provide the crabs. Members of SWFPO and SWIFA will provide the fish and scallops.

What a treat! “South Devon College chefs will take turns offering seafood cookery lessons throughout the day to local Primary School children in the Yeovil College Feast-Bus. The children will learn how to handle, prepare and cook deliciously simple seafood dishes that their parents will sample at the end of each class session. We are proud of the Berry Head Hotel, Ashfords’ Solicitors and the Billingsgate Seafood Training School for sponsoring this great facility. Also the S D College students will be running a Devon Cream Teas area where the public can relax and enjoy traditional scones and tea under the Y.E.S. Marquee, next to the Acoustic performers stage.

Ady Delaney and John Charlton from Eat Right UK will also provide children with hands-on food preparation sessions, as will Felicity Sylvester and the Brilliant Fish team. “Intoto Kitchens and Castle’s Kitchens have again provided us with wonderful cooking facilities that the team from Sound Events (Exeter) will turn into “Live Theatre Kitchens” with Plasma Screens to aid public enjoyment of the Chefs’ demonstrations. Richard Hunt (The Grand Hotel), David Jones (Manna from Devon), David Galpin (S D College), Russell Goodwin (Occombe Farm), Andy Sewell (Quayside Hotel) and Felicity Sylvester (Brilliant Fish) are the seafood specialist chefs booked to appear and to do “Ready Steady Cook” style demonstrations. Duncan & Sue Lucas (Passionate about Fish) will show-off their fish-mongering knife skills. Moshi Moshi Japanese Sushi chefs make a welcome return. Ian Perkes, Roberts Fisheries and Dave Walker will put on Fresh Fish displays for you to buy-to-try the recipes you will see demonstrated.

“Fishing boats, young and old and of all varieties will be on show, thanks to owners Dave Langdon, Alex Philip, Nick Bright, Ginger Wright, plus the Vigilance and Pilgrim Trusts. Also alongside will be the STS Stavros S Niarchos and the all-weather RNLI Torbay Lifeboat. These fine vessels will be complemented with marine and maritime heritage displays, sponsored by Astra Zeneca from MCA Receiver of Wrecks, RN Fisheries Protection Squadron, Marine Management Organisation, Millennium Marine Divers, Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust and many more. “The children will have plenty to see and do while Mum & Dad & Grandparents too enjoy the Seafood & Music. Melody the Mystic Mermaid will tell her tales of life under the ocean waves, Play Torbay will provide face painting, colouring and craft, Funtasia Bouncy Galleon and Tea-Cup have rides for fun, Maya Plass provides a Learn to Sea experience (as seen on BBC Countryfile). Birdline Parrot Rescue will have some of their magnificent birds on show.

“This year’s music and dance line-up is simply fantastic, with such local bands as M.I.U., Slytherin and Blue Tattoo. Paddy’s Whiskers perform a lunchtime set after a warm-up session by the fabulous Port Isaac Fishermen’s Friends, who are staging a concert in the evening in Brixham at All saints’ Church in aid of the Fishing in Sculptural Heritage (F.I.S.H.) Fund. After the cooking show and through the evening there will be lots more music to Midnight with Ashbird, Morning Rush, The Morrisons, The Normals and culminating in The Blues Brothers Collective. “There’s an acoustic stage for those who like to relax with their Pint or glass of wine. Philip Henry and Hannah Martin open the show, there are sets by Maggie Duffy & Mike Weed, Southern Comfort and Dave Johnson. Shanties by The Old Gaffers and Swashbuckle, folk music from Kaeravel and the beautiful sounds of Welsh singer Lisa Angharad, the face of S4C Wales. “Those who like dancers to entertain we have the Beats of Polynesia troupe from London, who have a close connection with Brixham. Kalash ATS Belly dancers are back by popular request! Brixham’s Bollywood Belles will also provide workshops. Cats Eye Morris and Shuffle the Deck Clog dancers round-off a packed bill of music and dance to delight all.

“It’s all for the Fishermen’s Mission. It’s all for only £5 per person, accompanied under 15s FREE. There’s plenty of hot food and drink provided by carefully selected concessions, including vegetarian options. (It’s not all fish!) Bay’s Brewery and the Crown & Anchor provide a bar service, plus fine wines and ciders. There really is no better way to end the summer holidays than to spend the day and evening too at Brixham Fish Market on Saturday 10th September at Fishstock Brixham 2011. Gates open at 10am. The shows start at 11am. The last band finishes and the bars close at Midnight! ENDS.

Fishstock Brixham 2011 E-mail mail@fishstockbrixham.co.uk Website www.fishstockbrixham.co.uk Tel: Jim: 07860542071 Dale: 07816513934 Karen: 01752690950

Rick Stein all set to open newlyn Fish Festival.

 The stage is all set......

 for Rick Stein, complete with dozens of books to sign to open this year's fish festival.....

as 20,000 visitors are expected to make their way to newlyn to see lots of beef?!!**!! - what the folks have really come to see is......

 chefs like Keir Miekle from the Navy Inn, Penzance......

 Sue & Duncan Lucas from Passionate about Fish......

 and the stars of the show, plenty of the fish that makes Newlyn famous......

 and not forgetting the shellfish......

all these are now being promoted by local Farmer's markets......

 behind the scenes and keeping things under control, Mr MCA, Mike Collier organises the IRB lifeboat team for their emergency demonstration in the harbour.....

 over on the pontoons, and the real star of the show, Pete Goss, brother Andy and son Elliot are back 'home' from their incredible Australian odyssey with the Spirit of Mystery looking like she's never been away.....

here, Pete's brother Andy points to a few planks of Australian timber now fitted to the stern of the boat's dinghy which has its own adventure story after having spent seven months adrift before washing ashore on King Island after being torn from the deck when the Spirit capsized off the Australain coast on the final leg, !