Visitors flock to most successful Oyster Festival

THE FOURTEENTH annual Falmouth Oyster Festival attracted more than 30,000 visitors over the weekend, making it the most successful to date.

The four-day festival celebrates the start of the oyster dredging season and the traditional methods still used by the fishermen today.

For two of those fishermen, the festival provided a happy reunion as they met up once again with celebrity chef Valentine Warner, who officially opened the festival.

Marshall Vinnicombe and Les Angel had spent a day out on the oyster fishery with Mr Warner when he filmed a segment for his What To Eat Now television series.

Lightheartedly referring to the two as “scoundrels”, Mr Warner reflected fondly on the time spent with them during his opening remarks.

It was a sentiment echoed by Mr Vinnicombe who said: “He spent the day with us and then we went drinking in the evening. We had a really great time.”

Mike Rangecroft, of organisers Falmouth Festivals, kicked off the event by stressing the authenticity of the oysters.

“There has been something in the press casting doubt on our oysters but I can assure you the Fal native oyster fishery is alive and well and not only that, the Fal oyster fishermen are alive and well,” he said.

Proud

“Not only do they dredge for the oysters, they purify them and then present them at the festival. We are very proud of the fact we have a great oyster fishery here.”

The oystermen were central to the festival, not only supplying the oysters but shucking – or opening – many thousands of them during the festival. They worked in association with St Michael’s Hotel in Falmouth, the event’s main sponsor.

While eating and drinking from the bar, visitors were treated to cookery demonstrations from some of the top local hotel chefs, and live music from local performers.

Saturday was the busiest day with more than 12,000 people spilling out of the festival marquees to enjoy the sunshine.

The event provided a welcome boost to the local economy. Malcolm Bell, head of tourism at VisitCornwall, said: “This event alone will bring in hundreds of thousands of pounds to the area.

“Events such as this are vitally important to our tourism industry, attracting visitors and showcasing different aspects of our county.” Nigel Carpenter, of the St Michael’s Hotel, added: “It’s been fantastic to be part of such a popular event celebrating our local food heritage.

“We have been delighted with such a turnout and of the enthusiasm shown by the town. We will top it all off with the Oyster Ball this Friday.”

Tickets for the ball are still available by contacting the hotel on 01326 312707.

● View a video of events at the festival online by visiting www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/oyster.