On Bank Holiday Monday we travelled a short distance to Newlyn to go to the Fish Festival. I was pleased that Bristol East Group had come to help and were in charge of setting up our stall for the campaign to Be a Fisherman’s Friend ,as a 7:00 am start was early enough for me. The weather did not look too good but with hope and optimism in our hearts we hoped for a wonderful day. With the car loaded with Clarence Cod we set off, but within a few hundred yards the car decided to crawl to a halt. We looked at each other and felt the prayers and wishes, and the car started and continued on the journey. When we arrived and managed to uncross everything we walked the short distance to the harbour carrying Clarence Cod to the much repeated fish jokes. My standard reply was "You should have seen the one that got away!"
We quickly found the fabulously prepared stall and introduced Clarence Cod to the Bristol Group. I noticed that Clarence Cod was getting telling glances from a cetain direction, and when I looked I saw Millicent Mackerel fluttering her fins at him. But we had a job to do and all that could wait till later.
We were quickly in our stride of getting our petition fish signed and it was good to tell the interested public that we had a date with our MEP to present the fish to her very shortly. Also we had a new tool in our kit, the iPad, to allow people to join our online campaign straight away. Later in the morning when the sun popped out for a few minutes Radio Cornwall grabbed Richard, who seemed to like dressing up in Clarence far too much, he and I did a live interview. Carol, from the Bristol Group has put the interview as a commentary to a slideshow here http://youtu.be/v-YoDZgycTg
Just after then the weather started to have a say in the matter and it started to rain but we were not to be put off and with a bit of irony it was dryer to wear the fish costume, so we all took turns. We had a visit from a number of burly fishermen who did not agree with our campaign but with a solid message and some great work by our two new activists Phil and Debbie, they left feeling they had made their point but agreeing to disagree. (One even left a £10 donation in our pot.)
As the rain got heavier I did notice the fish, Clarence and Millicent had disappeared, I found them huddled together at the back. I did not like to disturb them as the had done more than their fair share of work and needed a little together time.
All in all it was a fantastic day with 333 fish signed, 130 online sign ups and many photos in the booth also it was great to meet up with colleagues from Bristol who did a wonderful job. Thanks to everyone that helped and to everyone that signed our petition and joined our campaign. Together we will save our fish and oceans and you never know there may be romance in the air?
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