Cornwall Culture

Sea Salts & Sail is a maritime festival aimed at keeping people aware of the maritime heritage of the village of Mousehole, which was once one of the main fishing ports on the South West Peninsula. Traditional fishing boats dating back as far as the early 1900’s are invited to the festival and can be seen over the weekend taking part in a “Sail in Company around Mounts Bay.

These same boats will be moored up alongside the quay and spectators will be able to see them in all their splendour. Added to this, various demonstrations appertaining to the fishing industry, will be on display for all to see, such as cooking demonstrations of various fish caught now and in the days of sail, smoked herring demonstration, (an old tradition), exhibition of old photos and memorabilia of Mousehole dating from early 1800’s up to present day. There will also be heritage walks around the village and a re-enactment of the Spanish invasion as demonstrated by children from the local school.

Mousehole has a vast amount of history that is rapidly being lost and it is the aim of the festival committee to try and revise some of the old traditions and stage exhibitions and demonstrations over the weekend to make the general public more aware of our heritage

Focus will be on the old fishing vessels of our shores; the fishing industry, including net & pot making; ways and means of cooking fish and how fish was once preserved; local crafts such as wood carving etc; exhibition of old photographs and memorabilia of Mousehole and neighbouring coves; traditional entertainment such as Cornish folk dance & song, shanty groups etc and a display from the local school children, re-enacting the Spanish invasion.

The festival will be a three day visual heritage display which can only encourage people to look back at their heritage, and encourage the younger element to want to learn a little bit more of their ancestors. It could also encourage people to look in their attics and volunteer more material for the archives.

The event will be open to all ages and other than the sale of programmes, will be free. The displays will be as such, that the general public will be able to view them whatever the age, disability etc. Each display will have experts in attendance to answer any questions, and there will be explanatory notes under the old photographs and memorabilia exhibited.

The festival will be widely publicised on websites, the media, nautical magazines, tourist information brochures etc and nearer the date will also be advertised on the local radio and television programmes. Posters will be distributed to many hotels and guest houses. Posters and other literature will also be available at events leading up to the festival, such as the Royal Cornwall Show. Regular press releases will be sent to the local newspapers.

The event is a colourful, fun packed, educational celtic heritage marine event which has been staged biennially since 1996 and is growing in popularity. Each year it has been the aim of the organisers to split the profits from the event, keeping half back for future festivals and the other half to local charities.

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