A photographic book about Mevagissey fishermen has earned its volunteer team an award from The Fishermen’s Mission. 

Salty Cove is the third in a trilogy of beautiful books celebrating the Cornish fishing industry, and has so far raised £22,000 for the charity. 

The coffee-table tome was the brainchild of fisherman’s wife Lauren Hunkin and involved pro bono work by two authors, two photographers and a proof-reader. 

A three-year labour of love, starting in 2019 and continuing throughout the pandemic, it has sold around 1,200 copies from a 2,000 print run since April 2022. All publishing costs were covered by a crowd-funding campaign, meaning all sales went to the Fisherman’s Mission. 

Co-author Jill Edwards accepted the award on behalf of her fellow volunteers at the Fisherman’s Mission AGM in Trinity House, London last week. The glass trophy was presented by chief executive Marc Evans and chair of trustees Michael Vlasto. 

“My co-author Barbara Hocking asked me to take part, and at the time I had no idea how big an undertaking interviewing a few fishermen would be,” said Jill. 

“It’s a substantial book, and we shared the load between us. By the time you’ve chatted, recorded it, listened back, transcribed and edited it to the required 250 words, it’s around one and a half hours per person. 

“But it was really enjoyable. I met people around the village I would normally just say hello to, and I found out what interesting lives they lead. The most important thing is that all the proceeds have gone to charity. I have only lived in Cornwall for seven years, and this is my way of giving something back.”

Salty Cove is a collection of stunning black and white portraits focussing on the Mevagissey fishing community and their accompanying life stories. It takes its title from the Cornish name for Mevagissey Bay – ‘Porth Hyly’, which translates as ‘Salty Cove’. 

“Coming from a fishing family, the Fishermen’s Mission is a charity close to my heart,” said Lauren Hunkin of her original vision. “I have seen first-hand the difference they make to the fishing community here.”

Both photographers, Sally Mitchell and Matthew Facey, were Mevagissey born and bred. 

Matthew, who is also vice-chairman of the town council, said: “It’s a unique snapshot of Mevagissey fishermen at a moment in time. It was nice getting out and seeing everyone after the madness of the last few years, from Billy Moore’s mother making pasties in her kitchen to the Leleans, who have been making nets in Portloe forever.” 

Julian Waring, Fishermen’s Mission fundraising manager for the South West, said he was “very proud” of what the team had achieved. 

“Mevagissey is a thriving fishing community where seawater runs through people’s veins, and it’s a great honour to have been able to award dedicated volunteers who have put in really hard work,” he added.

“It’s no small feat producing a huge book. These were gifted people working to the maximum to make sure everyone was included. We now have something in perpetuity, so the next generation can see what their grandparents did to keep this fishing village very much alive and what a rich community it is.”

You can purchase Salty Cove for £25 from Hurley Books, Mevagissey or +P&P at https://fishmishmarket.org.uk/