With the port's largest boat leaving the harbour...
leaving just the netter, Govenek of Ladram alongside the Mary Williams pier...
as Paul Durkin, chair of the harbour commissioners welcomed, in his best French, members of the twinning teams from Concarneau and Penzance...
then it was the turn Concarneau's mayor, Marc Bigot to reciprocate, also in french, but ably translated by Penzance's mayor Stephen Reynolds...
for many years, Marc headed up the Committee de Peche and the Concarneau Maritime Museum so his knowledge and understanding of the fishing industry are second to none - the working lunch held in the harbour boardroom saw a number of fishing and heritage representatives discuss opportunities for the mutual benefit of both - on the fishing side Cornwall Sardine Management Association chair, Gus Caslake was able to explore exchange visits of sardine fishermen and, with Newlyn's FISH Trust planning on developing the old Ice Works as heritage centre, Jeanette Ratcliffe was able to share their ideas and plans to tell the story of the Newlyn's rich maritime history...
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there followed a slideshow of photos, in some cases going back over 100 years, with many examples of Concarneau and other Breton boats in Newlyn and a proposition that, with the changes coming for EU vessels in 2026, an opportunity for the online auctions systems used both here and in Brittany to join forces and enable Breton (and other) boats to land in Newlyn...
before leaving, Marc (left) presented Paul Durkin with an original print by Breton artist, Olivier Lapicque depicting a fisherman holding a huge tuna - Concarneau has a fleet of tuna boats that fish around the world...
after lunch, the harbour was left all quiet save the gulls enjoying the view from the comfort of the solar panels atop the market.
