As August begins, South Devon and the English Riviera tourism and hospitality businesses get into top gear for the summer season.
So the team at Fishstock Brixham 2014 shift up a gear with fabulous plans for their end of season “fishy-FUNd-raising” extravaganza for the Fishermen’s Mission charity.
Enthusiasm has been elevated with two pieces of exciting news.
The event has been short-listed in the category “Tourism Event of the Year” for the Herald Express English Riviera and South Devon Tourism and Hospitality Awards 2014.
Plus, the wonderful Wm Morrisons Supermarkets have agreed a sponsorship deal for the “Fisheries and Seafood Education Zone” at Fishstock Brixham 2014!
Wm Morrisons have a commitment to their customers: “100% in 2014 UK wild caught and landed seafood from Responsible Fishing Scheme boats.” Their local fish supplier, Falfish has a long-standing and firm relationship with the World Famous Brixham Fish Market. Falfish are a major buyer of fresh fish from members of South Western Fish Producer Organisation Ltd. (SWFPO Ltd are proud owners of the Fishstock Brixham ® Brand).
Falfish are also a key sponsor of Fishstock Brixham alongside Coombe Fisheries. Such national and regional seafood business support for Fishstock Brixham and the Fishermen’s Mission is just the shot-in-the-arm the team needs to renew their vigour for the final month of preparations.
At last year’s event, thousands of seafood and music festival lovers came to Brixham, Devon to celebrate Britain’s finest fishing heritage and Brixham’s sustainably caught quality fresh fish & seafood, cooked by some of the best local chefs. We all had a wonderful day and afterwards proudly presented £10,000 to the Fishermen’s Mission.
The work of the Fishermen’s Mission continues today, as vital as at its inception in 1881. To help Devon & Dorset fishermen recover from the ravages of exceptionally violent winter storms, during the spring of 2014 Brixham Mission Superintendent, John Anderson provided financial and pastoral support to over 200 fishermen and their families. The Fishermen’s Mission also worked with Community Foundations in the SW to disburse grants for the replacement of damaged or lost fishing gear. Today’s Fishermen’s Mission in Brixham is worthy of the modern fishing industry in a changing world, yet reflects the founding aims to “Preach the Word and Heal the Sick.” (Ebenezer J Mather)
Fishstock Brixham celebrates the fact that Brixham is the most successful fishing port in England!
Brixham’s fleet has flourished despite all the knocks from 3 decades of the Common Fisheries Policy. Its new “World Famous” fish market is testament to economic wellbeing and long-term stability. It is built on a solid foundation of 40 different species of fabulous fish in a mix that reflects productive waters and sustainability. Brixham has cause to celebrate!
Since its launch in 2008, the annual Fishstock Brixham has brought many thousands of visitors to Torbay and raised so far over £43,000 for the Fishermen’s Mission.
The target market for Fishstock Brixham is those who want to experience the quality of local produce fresh-caught then cooked to perfection by the pick of local and celebrity chefs. The event is well supported by the Brixham fishermen, who realise the importance of educating the public to the quality and versatility of the products on the doorstep. We involve local primary school pupils in the cookery demonstrations and encourage them to have “hands-on” experiences from “fish to dish” in one of the “Feast-Bus” classes run by S D College.
