By Douglas Williams MBE

There was a three-fold objective by Len Scott when he decided to launch it. He aimed to project the fishing industry, Newlyn’s importance to it and to boost the image and work of the Mission. Alongside these was the desire to raise funds – but no one could be sure of that!

Len did his homework and planning well in advance and few could fathom the scope of the venture. He explained to the Harbour Commissioners what he wanted and was given their blessing. So the first festival came to life in 1991 and has since got in a major production.

How did it all come about? The Mission had played its customary full part following a shipping tragedy at Hell’s Mouth in March 1988. Through Captain Eric Kemp the insurance company was involved to see if they could back the festival. “They gave £500 and promised a £2,000 debt guarantee so if it did not prove successful we would loose no money” recalled Len.

Once established it has been an annual attraction for crowds of many thousand. Many companies, national and local have given their support, the fishing industry pulled its full weight and soon Trade Fare, a Craft Fair and a full programme of entertainment gave it a breadth for all the family to enjoy. Plus a huge fish display!

“At first very few believed it would work. But I remember standing on the Commissioners’ office balcony and seeing some 8,000 – 9,000 people there, and realising it was a major event “.

Len Scott was a great character for publicity and marketing: he had that winning and persuasive way and spread the word through newspapers, televisions and radio. No one could resist. He went on Radio Cornwall and was asked “What are you going to do when it rains?” As ever he had a disarming reply:” I work for a good boss”. And sure enough the sun shone through after a damp and cloudy start to the early morning of that Bank Holiday Monday. It had been good weather ever since (keep you finger crossed for today).

It would be invidious and embarrassing to name just a few of the many volunteers who have put in tremendous work to ‘launch’ the Fish Festival and keep its profile high. A large number of people put in an enormous amount of effort. Lord St Levan and David Harris (a national Mission committee member) were among the early ‘openers’ and there was a special welcome for Brian Tobin, the Canadian Fisheries Minister. It was a time of mutual distrust of the activities of the Spanish fishing fleet and the great ‘Fly the Maple Leaf Flag’ campaign began in Newlyn in 1995. You will see them still on display around the port. The Canadian High Commissioner paid an earlier visit to Newlyn, saw all the flags flying and remarked “In 36 years of public service I have never seen anything like it “. His reception let to Mr Tobin’s acceptance of the initiation – and later a return trip.

“Fishermen from many different ports, communities and even countries have become united behind the common aims of preserving fish stock and maintaining their livelihood” Len wrote in the 1996 programme. He added, and it rings true today, that the festival ‘s aims is to allow “fishermen of Newlyn the opportunity to show its industry off to the wider public who, perhaps, know little about commercial fishing or its problems. “It also acts as a showcase for fishing related companies and allied trades to display what is currently available for the professional fisherman”.

Actress Jan Harvey arrived in a vintage car to open a show, coastguard Mike Collier had a few firm comments to make, Padstow’s Rick Stein came twice and keen festival friend Justin Leigh was a popular representative of Radio Cornwall. Last year the veteran skipper David Hopper did the honours.

Yet most of it on that first festival day “was a blur” for Len who had so much responsibility on his plate. Would he end up with ‘egg on his face’ with people saying “I told you so!”. Far from it: the crowds were delighted and have continued to be so. A big task has been “trying to come up with something new each year and maintaining that enthusiasm with everyone”.

Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised, some £3,000 - £4,000 the first year and increasing since then, but the public should also appreciated how much it all costs to stage. And he knows that trying to raise these funds by other ventures would not be an easy task.

The continuing challenge is the amount of time, energy and dedication the festival takes in preparation, from one year to the next, with hardly a break.

Len’s observation to the public remains true today: “There is much to do and much to see”.