Features
and Reviews
Open Day at the Fish
Market
Playing at the entrance
to the Fish Market on August Bank Holiday Monday, band ‘Dire
Traits' drew crowds to the Open Day organised by the Fishermen's
Mission. |
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Inside a host of stalls and activities were arranged
for this annual event designed to raise funds for the Fishermen's
Mission. Superintendent Len Scott in welcoming everyone to the
event said in the day's programme that ‘ Despite all the new technologies
and latest safety equipment, the sea is still a very hostile environment,
accidents and deaths still occur.
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When this happens
the fishing community turns to the Fishermen's Mission for
help and support.' In return the fishermen and the community
supported the Mission and he went on to say,” Today's event
is a continuation of that support. Virtually all sections
of the industry, from the fishermen to the sellers, from
the market workers to the managers, they all give their
time and skills to make this day something special.”
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Local fishermen were on hand giving demonstrations
of skills associated with their work including Brixham Fisherman
John Lovell who said he had that he had been mending nets all
his life.Whilst making a net inside the Fish Market, he encouraged
the public to have a go. |
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Bruce Bennett showed how making modern lobster pots could involve
the recycling old rubber car tyres which he used to lash the pieces
of the pot together. Having been a fisherman for many years he
said that he had now come ashore, but continues to create pots
as a crew of four hands on a crabbing boat could well use a thousand
in one trip, to bring home their catch of crabs and lobsters.
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| At the other end of the process Ian
Perks wholesalers were on site selling an array of fish and crabs,
whilst David Ashen owner of two Plymouth restaurants, offered
up cooking ideas for seafood with recipes for mussels in tasty
sauces. |
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As a reminder of Brixham's
fishing past, Heritage Trawlers Pilgrim and Vigilance had stands
at the Open Day with both their teams of supporters continuing
to work hard in raising funds for these special projects. Whilst
Pilgrim remains in dry dock the Friends of Pilgrim within Pilgrim
BM45 Trust Ltd recently put in a bid to the Heritage Lottery
Fund to continue the restoration work.
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The decision by the Fund should come early next
year with the Friends keen to restore the vessel more closely
to its original specifications and create a sailing experience
reflecting Pilgrim's history. At the Open Day Lisa Harris great
niece of the original owner of Pilgrim Silas Pine came along to
show her continued support for the project as she continues to
research her family tree whilst on holiday. |
On
Sept 8th a Torbay Belle Cruise around the Bay with buffet and
music seeks to raise further funds for Pilgrim www.pilgrimofbrixham.co.uk
, whilst Vigilance continues to offer sailing trips on Sunday
mornings, Tue and Thurs throughout Sept, with special carol
service 20 th Dec time to be arranged www.vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk
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Other local charities and organizations
included All Saints Church selling copies of the DVD showing
the BBC filming of Hymns of the Forefathers in 2003. This showed
local actor Ian Cooper playing the Rev. H. F. Lyte and featuring
Pilgrim and her crew, as the programme explored the creation
of the hymn ‘Abide with me'. At £9 copies are only available
from All Saints Church as they have permission to sell them
to raise funds for the church. |
| Thanking everyone for attending, especially
the army of volunteer who make the day possible each year, Superintendent
Len Scott stated that, “The money we are raising today will help
towards ensuring that, no matter what , when ever the services
of the Fishermen's Mission are called upon by the fishing community,
we will be there for them.” |
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Features
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