Cornish Maritime Trust brings Newlyn’s Old Harbour to life with first-ever ‘Boats on the Beach’

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.

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.

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, with Cllr Law saying:

“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.”

Rob McDowell, Skipper and Trustee of the Cornish Maritime Trust, added:

“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.”

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.