HISTORIC working boats transformed Newlyn's newly restored Old Harbour into a living scene from the town's fishing past at the inaugural Boats on the Beach, organised by the Cornish Maritime Trust (CMT) on Thursday, July 2.

The event attracted people from across the community, with more than a dozen artists painting ‘en plein air’ throughout the day. As the evening sunshine glinted on the boats, more than 200 guests – from toddlers to octogenarians – visited the quay to enjoy seafood paella, home-made cakes and a well-stocked bar, including a barrel of beer donated by Dynamite Beer.

Members of the acclaimed bluegrass band Flats & Sharps delighted the crowd with their evocative harmonies from aboard CMT’s 145-year-old lugger Barnabas, moored against the quay.

More than 25 traditional vessels ranged from small traditional craft to the magnificent 60ft 1878 Lowestoft drift netter Gleaner, the engineless 1911, Looe dipping lugger Guide Me, and Pegasus, a 56ft pilot cutter that sailed in all the way from Camaret in Brittany. Kedged onto the beach beneath the tawny granite walls of the newly restored medieval harbour, they recreated scenes from Newlyn's fishing heyday.

The trust preserves and sails four heritage vessels, including two based in Newlyn's Old Harbour: the 1881 St Ives dipping lugger Barnabas and Silver Stream, a replica 1893 Sennen Cove crabber.

Cornish Maritime Trust trustee and skipper Rob McDowell said: "Now the harbour has been so painstakingly and beautifully restored, we wanted to bring it to life - to let folk experience it as it once was.

“It was a dream to watch Newlyn’s community come together and step into living history - to see it filled with old working boats, to hear the sounds, smell the rigging and see the shapes and shadows that these beautiful vessels cast. We hope it inspires many more to join us and learn to sail these extraordinary boats."

Boats on the Beach marked the launch of the trust's fundraising campaign to renovate The Fisherman’s Rest, a small 1960s building on the Old Quay leased to the charity by Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners. The event raised an estimated £2,000 towards a £7,000 fundraising target to transform the building into a Maritime Heritage Community Hub, creating a welcoming space for community groups, schools, artists, musicians and heritage activities.

The following morning, many of the visiting boats sailed on to the Sea Salts & Sail Festival in Mousehole.

The event was attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Col. Sir Edward Bolitho, and Penzance mayor Andy Law, both of whom praised the work of the Cornish Maritime Trust and the Newlyn Old Harbour Restoration Project.

Col Bolitho said: “Fishing is what Newlyn is all about and this project has clearly inspired and enthused so many people. It is really good to see what the community can achieve when everyone works together."

Cllr Law described Boats on the Beach as “a moving and beautiful sight, in the heart of our lovely village”, adding: “I know this iconic place is in safe hands.”