Sue Lawler

The magnetic pull of Newlyn’s harbour endures. Following in the footsteps of countless artists before them, painters still travel from around the world to offer a fresh interpretation of the iconic quay. This living tradition is perfectly illustrated by Dave and Sue Lawler who had traveled all the way from South Australia to join Linda Thornton, and Jane Godden in a plein air workshop with local artist Vicky Norman to paint the very same views that have inspired artists for centuries.

The day’s most difficult task was translating the brilliant, neon quality of wet seaweed at low tide onto canvas. It’s precisely this kind of challenge that Vicki excels at.

As the designated Artist in Residence for the Cornish Maritime Trust, Vicki has become the official storyteller for their flagship boat, the historic lugger Barnabas. She has vividly chronicled the boat’s journeys for several years, a highlight being the documentation of its epic voyage to Scotland to be fitted with custom-made Scottish pine masts.

Discover more about Vicki and her  work here.

A few days later and another group of artists get the chance to paint in the footsteps of the greats of the Newlyn School and the likes of Gotch and Harvey. This is the first time the group, with three members having flown across the Atlantic from Atlanta, have actually met up in person. They have been working together via Zoom for the last two years, painting and critiquing each others work online. Over the weekend they were able to paint views of the Old Quay with a traditional lugger, the Softwing run by Cornwall Maritime Trust moored against the centuries old harbour wall.

Two views of the Old Quay by Harold Harvey.

The award winning Barnabas and the Cornish Maritime Trust are a key part of the old quay restoration project and an essential component of its future. The old harbour will not only serve to provide a home and working port from which to operate these amazing working examples of Cornish maritime history but will also allow the working boats of today to use the space and facilities. In time we envisage a centre for the miantenace and restoration of traditional sailing vessels but for now, here are a few words on what the Old Quay has meant for Rob Dowell when he accepted the award in the Barnabas’ spiritual home:

“Thank you Community”

“People often ask, ‘Rob, what’s your favourite experience or memory of a sailing event’ and my reply is generally, that the crew had fun, that they returned soundly and that boat was tied back safely on her mooring. For me, that was Friday night as we reflected over recent events, in the comfort of Newlyn’s Fisherman’s Arms! I cannot thank our sailing crew and community enough, for supporting this memorable day. A special thanks also to @HannahCunliffe from National Historic Ships UK for driving 6 hours south to ‘sail and dip the lug’ and then present us with the stunning NHS operational flagship pennant and plaque. To Esme Page for creating the exposure for this event and getting around 50 guests, including the mayor, town clerk and Greg Martin down to the Old Quay. To Newlyn Harbour Commissioners for their support and Newlyn Old Quay Restoration project. And lastly, to the past generations of CMT sailors who had the passion to save Barnabas, so that we could experience one of the oldest traditional vessels under sail.”

Rob McDowell Cornwall Maritime Trust

All much needed work to repair, restore or replace the existing ironowork down the old harbour has now been completed. Once local blacksmiths at Pencarn Forge had made the mooring rings and repaired or forged new handrail ironwork it was down to Dave and young Finley from JT Fabrications based in Newlyn Coombe to fit the quay ladders they had constructed and put the corroded or broken handrails back into working order.

The ladders have been given the same 3-coat protection used on windfarm installations so should last a life time!

The mooring rings have been put in place at an angle to allow mooring lines from the boats to move freely.

Much of the existing ironwork idates back well over 150 years and in some places is damaged or missing, with the old harbour being no exception. The handrails, mooring rings and ladders were all made from wrought iron which meant the restoration work has had to be as faithfull as possible, where feasible, to the originals. Today, there is just one foundry in the UK that produces wrought iron – re-working salvaged iron from a scrapped Victorian bridge in the north east! They were able to supply the bar used to repair the damaged handrails.

These pictures show the extent of the damage and general wear that some of the existing ironwork was suffering.

‘Barnabas’ Award Highlights Importance of Lugger Heritage and Quay Restoration

We have fantastic news that shines a spotlight on the rich maritime heritage of Newlyn and the importance of our efforts to restore the Old Quay!

The 143-year-old Cornish lugger, ‘Barnabas’, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Centenarian of the Year’ title at the 2025 Classic Boat Awards in London. This is a moment of immense pride for Cornwall and a testament to the dedication of those working to preserve our seafaring traditions. As the Newlyn Old Harbour Restoration Project emphasizes, luggers have long been the lifeblood of Newlyn’s maritime heritage, serving as the backbone of the local fishing industry for centuries. They are more than just boats; they’re a vital part of our cultural tapestry.

‘Barnabas’ holds a special place in history as the “last surviving lug-rigged St Ives Mackerel Driver” and the “oldest mackerel driver still sailing today”. This award recognizes not only the vessel’s historical significance but also the tireless work of the Cornish Maritime Trust. The CMT, a community charity, is committed to preserving historic vessels and teaching endangered heritage sailing skills to the next generation.

Toby Floyer, the charity’s chairman and skipper, sees this award as a recognition of the growing support for their work, especially after ‘Barnabas’’ ambitious voyage to four Celtic nations in 2024. That voyage, during which 43 sailors were trained and £20,000 was raised to replace the lugger’s masts and spars, further underscores the active role ‘Barnabas’ plays in celebrating and maintaining maritime traditions.

The Barnabas has also been selected as a National Historic Ship Flagship for 2025, awarded in recognition of her plans for an exciting sailing season incorporating the Semaine Du Golfe de Morbihan, Falmouth Classics, Looe Luggers and a visit to the Isles of Scilly, as well as opportunities to promote lug rig in conjunction with other historic craft.

This brings us back to the heart of our mission: restoring the Newlyn Old Quay. As this award demonstrates, these historic luggers, like ‘Barnabas’, are a living testament to our rich Cornish maritime heritage. Our project actively seeks support to bring the Old Quay back into use and provide a home for these historic vessels to their former glory and keep the spirit of our community alive.

As Dave Gander, CMT and ‘Barnabas’ skipper, so eloquently put it, “Each lugger tells a story of Newlyn’s Maritime past, a story that intertwines courage, community and the sea. The vessels and the skills to sail them, are an irreplaceable part of our cultural heritage”.

The restoration of the Old Quay is not just about preserving wood and stone; it’s about preserving this irreplaceable part of our cultural heritage for generations to come. The award given to ‘Barnabas’ reinforces the importance of this goal.

Get Involved!

To learn more about the Cornish Maritime Trust and their work, please visit their website (www.cornishmaritimetrust.org) and follow them on social media (Facebook and Instagram). And to support our efforts to restore the Newlyn Old Harbour and provide a fitting home for these magnificent vessels, please visit our website (newlynoldharbour.co.uk).