NEWLYN FISH MARKET VISIT 17TH MARCH 2007

Two members and another 6 non members recently took part in our guided tour of Newlyn Fish Market and Newlyn village.

This week has been the first decent bit of weather since Christmas and consequently there was a good variety of fish on the market. Arriving early in the morning also meant we witnessed boats landing both shellfish and fish. The merchants then gathered around the Auctioneer and the bidding started. As the fish gets bought, the boxes get taken away by the fish merchants to their lorries and then back to the factories. Nick Howell from Slow Food Cornwall, explained about the different species. It was nice to see the whole fish when one only knows the end product at the fish shop. On the day of our visit there was Pollock, Hake, Ling, different Soles, Red Gurnard, Red Mullet, Turbot, Brill Taupe, Cuttlefish, and many more species for sale.

After an hour in fairly chilly winds, it was so good to sit in the warmth of the Fishermen’s Mission and tuck into a full English breakfast and mingle with the Newlyn fishing community. Once replenished, it was back out into the cold for a brisk walk back to the car park. This time along the back streets of Newlyn and a chat about the paintings of Newlyn School and the stories of old and past fishing days. We were very lucky to also be invited on board The Ripple, an old mackerel driver from St Yves (1896) that John Lamborne is rebuilding along side the quay.

As everyone had such a good time, we shall re-run this event later in the Spring. We can put dates together but the weather ultimately decides... So, if you are keen to come along, keep in touch via the Slow Food website or by contacting a member of the Slow Food Committee.

Mithe Howell
20th March 2007