Mullion Harbour Day makes fundraising fun

Having been postponed from June due to the poor weather this proved to be the right decision, with Saturday enjoying bright sunshine.

Ellie Parsons, National Trust ranger for north Lizard, said: “It was great. The aim of the day was get the local community down there enjoying the harbour.”

Although the day was focussed around fun rather than fundraising, it made £1,500 profit.

This will be used to restore the old capstan at the cove – a type of winch that was used in the past for hauling boats up the beach that remains a landmark but has fallen into disrepair.

Those taking part in the day enjoyed a variety of regatta type activities, from fighting on the greasy pole to swimming races and the unusual “seahorse steeple chase” involving hobby horses made from old body boards and other rubbish found on trust beaches in the area that were sponsored by local businesses. These were “ridden” down the beach, swum along the cove and then returned to the starting point, with spectators able to place bets on the winner.

There were also stalls, a raft race, a pirate themed treasure hunt and a barbecue providing burgers made from the trust’s own Dexter cattle that graze on the cliffs.

The event was run in conjunction with Lizard Adventure, which managed the water safety side of the day.

Ellie, who has organised the day for the last two years, said: “It was just a good day. Lots of people were enjoying it and I’ve had lots of good feedback from locals saying what a lovely atmosphere there was. They saw people coming from the village they haven’t seen at the harbour for years.”

She thanked the Lizard RNLI for bringing lifeboat Rose for a display, the volunteers who helped on the day, all the sponsors and local business that donated prizes.