Raises more than £2,000 for new Maritime Heritage Hub
More than 25 historic working boats transformed Newlyn’s newly restored Old Harbour into a living scene from the town’s fishing past at the inaugural Boats on the Beach, organised by the Cornish Maritime Trust (CMT) on Thursday 2 July.
The event attracted people from across the community, with more than a dozen artists painting ‘en plein air’ throughout the day. As the evening sunshine glinted on the boats, more than 200 guests – from toddlers to octogenarians – visited the quay to enjoy seafood paella, home-made cakes and a well-stocked bar, including a barrel of beer donated by Dynamite Beer. Members of the acclaimed bluegrass band Flats & Sharps delighted the crowd with their evocative harmonies from aboard CMT’s145-year-old lugger Barnabas, moored against the quay.
2. Lord Lieutenant addresses community – Adam Gibbard
Twenty-five traditional vessels kedged onto the beach beneath the tawny granite walls of the newly restored medieval harbour, recreating scenes from Newlyn’s fishing heyday. The fleet ranged from small traditional craft to the magnificent 60ft 1878 Lowestoft drift netter Gleaner, the engineless 1911, Looe dipping lugger Guide Me, and Pegasus, a 56ft pilot cutter that sailed in all the way from Camaret in Brittany.
The Cornish Maritime Trust preserves and sails four heritage vessels, two of which are based in Newlyn’s Old Harbour: the 1881 St Ives dipping lugger Barnabas and Silver Stream, a replica 1893 Sennen Cove crabber. CMT volunteers have played an active role in restoring the Old Quay. Together with the Newlyn Old Harbour Restoration Project, dreamed of filling the harbour once again with traditional working boats. Boats on the Beach was the first realisation of that vision.
3. Members of Flats & Sharps play aboard 145 year old lugger Barnabas with dozens of traditional boats behind them – Adam Gibbard
The event was attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Col. Sir Edward Bolitho, and the Mayor of Penzance, Andy Law, both of whom praised the work of the Cornish Maritime Trust and the Newlyn Old Harbour Restoration Project (see their comments below and images in dropbox).
Rob McDowell, Skipper and Trustee of the Cornish Maritime Trust, said:
“Now that the harbour has been so painstakingly and beautifully restored, we wanted to bring it to life – to let the folk experience it as it once was. It was a dream to watch Newlyn’s community come together and step into living history – to see it filled with old working boats, to hear the sounds, smell the rigging and see the shapes and shadows that these beautiful vessels cast. We hope it inspires many more to join us and learn to sail these extraordinary boats.”
Rob McDowell addresses the community (The Rest to the right) – PZ Council
More than £2,000 raised for Maritime Heritage Community Hub
Boats on the Beach marked the launch of the Trust’s fundraising campaign to renovate The Fisherman’s Rest, a small 1960s building on the Old Quay leased to the charity by Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners.
The Trust plans to transform the building into a Maritime Heritage Community Hub, creating a welcoming space for community groups, schools, artists, musicians and heritage activities centred on Newlyn’s unique maritime history.
Organised entirely by CMT volunteers, the event featured a giant seafood paella and live folk music, raising an estimated £2,000 towards the Trust’s £7,000 fundraising target.
The following morning, many of the visiting boats sailed on to the Sea Salts & Sail Festival in Mousehole.
Comment on the event – images of speakers in the Dropbox
Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Col. Sir Edward Bolitho
“It was a real pleasure to be at the first Cornwall Maritime Trust ‘Boats on the Beach’ event in Newlyn last night. The opportunity to see the exceptional renovation work on the Old Harbour and all the traditional vessels on parade was not to be missed. It all looked wonderful in the evening sun. The evening also raised much needed funds to help turn the Fisherman’s Rest into a Maritime Heritage Hub to benefit the whole community. Fishing is what Newlyn is all about and this project has clearly inspired and enthused so many people. It is really good to see what the community can achieve when everyone works together.“
Andy Law, Mayor of Penzance
“Huge congratulations are due to the Harbour Commission for their fantastic work in refurbishing and restoring the Old Quay and for transferring over responsibility for the Fisherman’s Rest to the Cornish Marine Trust. I know that this iconic place is in safe hands and will be nurtured and developed for the community by CMT and I can’t wait for developments. Boats on the Beach was a truly joyful event and exactly the type of event that I, as Town Mayor have committed to supporting; a collaboration between agencies, individuals and community volunteers. A community event, planned and run by the community, for the community and in the heart of the community. Fantastic food and drink (I ate my first oyster!); wonderful music and above all, incredible traditional boats, kedged on the beach before sailing off to Mousehole for Sea Salts and Sails. It was a moving and beautiful sight, in the heart of our lovely village. Massive thanks to all the volunteers and others involved in planning, creating and running this fabulous community event.“
Alexandra Bolitho, Patron of CMT
“I would like to congratulate the organisers, volunteers and contributors who made the Cornish Maritime Trust ‘Boats on the Beach’ celebration in Newlyn such a wonderful occasion last night.
Huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this special event; due to their careful planning and collaborative spirit, the evening provided an outstanding promotion of our important Cornish maritime heritage, as well as being thoroughly good fun!“
Images are available in this Dropbox. Please credit photographers as indicated in each file name – mainly Adam Gibbard, PZ Council and Esmé Page.
ENDS
Press enquiries/dropbox link via: Esmé Page: ep@esmepageconsulting.com
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
About the Newlyn Old Harbour Restoration Project
Beginning in 2023 with a comprehensive assessment by Historic England, the Newlyn Old Harbour Restoration Project is nearing completion after two years of conservation and restoration work. Led by Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners, working closely with Nick Howell, the project has been funded by Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners, Penzance Council and a £119,000 grant from Historic England.
Working alongside conservation specialists, contractors, volunteers and the local community, the project is securing the long-term future of one of Cornwall’s oldest surviving working harbours. Restoration has included repairing historic harbour structures, reinstating traditional features, improving public access and interpretation, and restoring the Old Quay for the maintenance of small fishing boats
The restored quay will provide a safe haven and permanent home for Newlyn’s traditional lugger fleet, ensuring the harbour remains a living part of Cornwall’s maritime heritage.
