It was an absolute delight for the Cornish Maritime Trust (CMT) community to welcome Bishop David, the new Bishop of Truro, to Newlyn’s Old Quay on Wednesday for a very special occasion — the blessing of the 144-year-old Cornish lady Barnabas, now proudly recognised as an operational Flagship 2025 for National Historic Ships UK.
Dressed in magenta robes that stood out vividly against the black hull of the unique dipping lugger, Bishop David spoke to an audience of over 30 volunteers and community members gathered around and aboard Barnabas.
“I’ve always loved the name Barnabas — it means ‘son of encouragement’,” said the Bishop, who is himself a keen sailor. He gave thanks for the men of faith who first built and fished with her, and for the imagination, craftsmanship and seamanship of those who have sailed and preserved her across three centuries — now including many women. Among those, he was delighted to meet Sharon Stevens, descendant of Barnabas’ first owner and namesake, Barnabas Thomas. Clearly having done his research, he even referred to the crew’s recent audacious 1,400 mile voyage to Ullapool to fetch her new spars.
The Bishop’s rousing blessing and prayers for protection rang out across Newlyn Harbour, echoing the sounds of many a traditional boat blessing in times gone by. Drawing on the meaning of ‘Barnabas’ he prayed for the Trust’s leaders and all who sail in her, both young and old, to be “encouraged — to gain a stronger sense of self-worth, a stronger sense of what you could possibly do, pushing the adventure further until the red zone becomes the green zone.”
After the blessing, Bishop David spent time chatting enthusiastically with Trustees — Shipwright Dave Need and Skipper Rob McDowell — as well as many members of the Trust. Clearly captivated by the Trust’s work, he promised to return for his own adventure on board.
Members of the Trust were thrilled to also welcome Lord Lieutenant Colonel Edward Bolitho and his wife Alexandra, Patron of the Trust to the event, along with Bishop David’s guest, Rev Dr Magdalena Öhrling from Sweden, Penzance Mayor Stephen Reynolds, Town Clerk James Hardy, Paul Durkin, Chair of Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners and Jonathan Poynter, Harbour Master and CEO. After the blessing, the group retired to the cosy Fisherman’s Rest for home-made cream teas, where they learned about the Trust’s recent awards and admired paintings of the CMT’s four boats by Artist in Residence Vicki Norman — painted in the Newlyn School tradition, en plein air.
Alexandra Bolitho, CMT Patron, commented on the event, “It was a real pleasure to be able to show Bishop David something of the brilliant work of the Cornwall Maritime Trust, allow him to meet some of those involved and to give the Trust some well-deserved publicity.”
There was plenty of lively talk about the Trust’s exciting winter plans to renovate the Fisherman’s Rest, creating an educational centre for heritage sailing — an ambitious project for which the Trust is currently fundraising.
The afternoon was filled with plans, dreams and salty yarns. The warm atmosphere carried on inside and out until all had their fill of scones and the light faded over the historic harbour.
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About the Cornish Maritime Trust
The Cornish Maritime Trust is a charity which exists to preserve Cornwall’s maritime heritage by maintaining and sailing working vessels from the days of sail. Run by volunteers, it aims to educate people about Cornwall’s maritime heritage, trains people of all ages in the skills associated with traditional sailing, restoration and maintenance, and shares the enjoyment of sailing historic working boats with community. The Trust operates four unique boats: Barnabas (1881 dipping lugger, 40ft), Softwing (1900 Truro River oyster dredger, 24ft) and Ellen (1882 Gorran Haven crabber, 17ft) as well as one replica (1890’s dipping lugger, 22 ft), Silver Stream, used for training.
The Trust is always happy to welcome new members with an annual membership scheme from £30 which makes sailing and learning affordable. The charity relies on donations and sponsorship to continue its vital work. To find out about membership or to support the Trust, please visit: https://cornishmaritimetrust.org/ or follow Cornish Maritime Trust on Facebook.
About National Historic Ships UK and the ‘Flagship of the Year’ awards
NHS-UKis a government funded, independent organisation which gives objective advice to UK governments and local authorities, funding bodies, and the historic ships sector on all matters relating to historic vessels in the UK. It maintains the National Register of Historic Vessels, which lists over 1,500 historic craft. It also manages the Shipshape Network, which was set up to promote the regeneration of traditional maritime skills around the UK. www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk
NHS-UK’s annual Flagship Awards have been running since 2009. The Awards provide an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate the value of historic vessels to the wider public. This can be through a variety of online activities, special events, open days, workshops and tours. Competition was particularly strong for the coveted accolade this year. Applications were received from a range of operational and static vessels on the National Registers based on their seasonal programmes and planned level of outreach. NHS-UK has awarded four very different craft the status of Flagship of the Year 2025; this year they are all operational vessels.
