Friday, January 12, 1923

The Penzance Fire Brigade arrived at the seafront Pavilion Theatre – now Grand Casino Amusements – just in time to save the building from devastation by fire.

The caretaker, perhaps not living up to his job title particularly well, had been heating a pot of tar over a gas ring on a wooden shelf. He left the room briefly, probably for what is now termed a ‘comfort break’, and on his return found the tar ablaze, the café already filled with smoke and flames threatening the dressing rooms above.

Captain Kenyon, who doubled as the Borough’s police superintendent and fire chief, lost no time in breaking the windows alongside the tennis court and directing water at the blaze. Had he and the other firefighters been less prompt, or the caretaker’s call of nature longer, a historic promenade landmark might not exist today.  

Saturday, January 13, 1923

As the mackerel season got into its swing, the first three of a dozen Lowestoft fishermen operating out of Newlyn landed catches of up to 20,000 fish.

Not amongst them, however, was George Hall. He had fallen off the path between Penzance and Newlyn the previous evening, and was now in hospital with broken ribs.  

Monday, January 15, 1923

Members of Penzance Chamber of Commerce left a meeting at the Alverne Hall (part of what is now known as St John’s Hall) in a state of some excitement.

They had been listening to a lecture about the benefits of ‘shopping carnivals’ – and were keen to try this novel retail concept out on the shoppers of Penzance.

The speaker for the evening had come from London to promote the idea, and Mayor Stuchbery of Penzance was all in favour. 

The idea was not to persuade people to buy more – but simply to, as we would say today, ‘shop local’ rather than sending away for items from catalogues. The shops would need to show the benefits and were urged to set up prize competitions, window displays and special events. It would also be vital to make use of all the available advertising media: which in 1922, didn’t extend much further than posters, magazines and newspapers.

Perhaps the BID team could look into holding a ‘shopping carnival’ - 21st century style? 

Wednesday, January 17, 1923

The motor boat, Condor came into Newlyn with an unusual catch – a royal sturgeon, 4ft 10in (nearly 1.5m) long and weighing 35lb (16kg). The sturgeon remains to this day a ‘royal fish’ and has to be offered to the remaining monarch – which in 1923 was George V.

Despite the royal right to first refusal, the fish was sold to fish merchant Fred Badcock, who immediately sent a very humble telegram off to Sandringham.  He was doubtless relieved that evening when a private secretary replied with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’.

Badcock was then able to sell the sturgeon to a local buyer, who perhaps went on to enjoy being ‘king for a day.’