The Old Harbour, possibly more correctly called Gwavas Quay, was first referenced in 1435. There are records to say that it was rebuilt in that year by Breton stonemasons. The sketch above, thought to have been drawn in the early 1900s, includes the now long-gone cottages seen on the left that once overlooked the slip below.
This photo, the earliest found to date, shows a slate-roofed building on the quay of the Old harbour- the seaward side appears to be a part of the harbour wall...
both this...
and this photo show the quay after that slate-roofed building fell into disrepair.
Over the years, more and more stone was taken from the old harbour wall - allegedly used by local builders constructing new homes in Newlyn in the early and mid-1900s. Eventually, in the 1950s, a group of Newlyn artists fearing the total destruction of this centuries old harbour wall brought it's plight to the attention of Historic England who then designated the harbour wall as a Grade II* listed building.
Later, in the 1960s, a blockwork building (painted white) was constructed, roughly where the original building existed - thought to be built for the quarry supervisor overseeing the loading of the stone boats on the South Pier.
The question is this, who built it and why?
Update. It seems the building was constructed from blocks supplied by Penlee quarry for the purpose of providing an office base for managing the visiting 'stone boats' on the South Pier.
Elaine Bawden has provided more definitive information on who and why the building came to exist: Here you go Laurence, the opening ceremony of the Fisherman’s Rest down at the old Harbour in Newlyn, exact date not known (probably early 60’s to coincide with Mayor Beckerleg’s term of office) from my late Dad’s (Nim Bawden) photo collection.
Despite his advancing years Dad could still put names to most of these faces, they are Newlyn fishermen who would have used the building on a regular basis.
Front Row (maybe names can be added fo the rest)
Third from left - Mr Nicholls, nickname ‘Cabbage’
Fourth from left - Will Hall ‘Willets’ from Mousehole.
Fifth from left - Possibly owner of the Mayflower, dad not sure of his name?
Sixth from left - Penzance Mayor Alfred Beckerleg (1964 - 1966)
Seventh from left - Tommy Barr
Behind Will Hall to his right in the second row wearing a flat cap is Nicky Nowell (Great Grandad of Jack Nowell), then Donald Swanson, Dick & Rolf Payne.
Dad recalled that the Fisherman’s Rest was blessed by the local vicar at the opening ceremony but it was not consecrated. This makes sense as ‘consecration’ is the setting aside of land or buildings for sacred use in perpetuity. Usually land or buildings are only consecrated following a written request to the Bishop called a Petition for Consecration. The consecration can only be undertaken by a Bishop using a particular form of liturgy. This would have been well reported at the time but I can find no confirmed records of a consecration of the Fisherman’s Rest as a place of worship.
Fisherman's Rest - Tuesday 24 February 1891 “Fisherman’s rest” and reading-room was opened in Newlyn town in premises of the property of Mr, Stephen Hichens. In response to an invitation from the Vicar of St. Peter’s, a meeting was well attended on Saturday night to discuss ways and means for starting this desirable Club, and thirty of those present consented to become members. It is to be hoped the Institution will prove a great success.
The Cornishman newspaper dated Thursday 13 July 1939 reports the following;
FISHERMAN'S REST, NEWLYN. The report of the Housing Committee, presented to Penzance Town Council on Monday, stated that the committee considered the position with regard to the future uses the Fisherman's Rest situated at the bottom of Church Street, Newlvn. having regard to the fact that the houses immediately adjoining this property are subject to demolition under the provision of the Housing Act. 1936, and resolved that the owner of the Fisherman's Rest be advised as to the legal position, i.e., that the demolition orders, having become operative, cannot be revoked.
