Everyone loves to eat fish but as you tuck into your catch of the day, have you ever spared a thought for the men risking their lives to land it?
I hadn’t heard about the work of The Fisherman’s Mission or the Fish Mish’ as sea-dwellers affectionately call it. They’re a charity whose sole job is to help Fisherman and families of Fisherman in times of trouble. Whether they’ve had an accident, are taken ill or face financial difficulties, they’re the ones that help. The Charity relies entirely on charitable donations, don’t get any help from the government or the Lottery fund.
It’s the second year the Cornish fashion brand Seasalt has come together with famous names to design limited edition bags for charity. Their time in Cornwall inspires the scenes and the bags are raising funds for the Mission. Seasalt has supported the charity for many years and does a tremendous amount for causes in the county. At the moment their raising money to restore the art deco Jubilee Pool in Penzance.
In 2015, they enlisted the design skills of Dame Judi Dench, Savannah Miller, Monty Halls and Alex Polizzi and such was their success that the bags raised £6,000 and ran out in days. This year, they’ve upped the number of bags printed to cope with demand.
At this year’s launch I met up with one of this year’s designers the actress and current Mrs Bumble in the BBC One’s hit drama ‘Dickensian’ Caroline Quentin. A Devon-dweller she had no trouble in her design. A colourful blue and red scene with active mackerel in the foreground.
“I love Cornwall, for me life there is all about the beauty of the landscape and particularly the coastline. The people who live and work in and on the water are the beating heart of this beautiful country. That’s why I support the Fisherman’s Mission.”
Other designers include Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki,
Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark’s love interest in the BBC drama), Fern Briton and Julia Bradbury.
Wright Brothers’ Soho Oyster House in Kingly Court was the perfect setting, to remind the invited audience why we were there. Cornish wine from Polgoon is paired with Cornish fish and shellfish in an intimate, dining space.
The bags launch at the end of March and cost £5 from the shops or their website. Fifty pence from each sale goes to the charity.
