The 18th annual Falmouth Oyster Festival attracted over 38,000 visitors who consumed more than 20,000 oysters over four days of cookery demonstrations, live music and competitions.

The festival celebrates the start of the oyster dredging season in Falmouth, which is one of the last fisheries to fish using the traditional method of sail and oar. Now based on Events Square, its humble beginnings were remembered at the opening ceremony.

Festival organiser, Mike Rangecroft, said: “It seems like a long time ago that it all started in a very small way. It started on Custom House Quay and in the Watersports Centre and about 100 people turned up. Things have moved on from the quay as we needed a bigger space because we outgrew it. Now we have about 38,000 people that visit the festival over the four days.”

Falmouth’s mayor also paid tribute to the festival. “The Falmouth Oyster Festival is the highlight of Falmouth and Cornwall’s autumn calendar. The fact it is in its 18th year shows the great success of the event.”

Before the cooking got underway on the opening morning, the model of The Oyster, which it is hoped to build and place on the quay next to Events Square, was unveiled by its creator, Andy Nicholls with the help of school children Lauren and Paddy and MP Sarah Newton.

The opening night was headlined by the Fisherman’s Friends who helped raise over £1,500 for the Fishermen’s Mission. The next afternoon saw the schools’ oyster parade make its way from The Moor down to Events Square.

Another highlight of the weekend was the popular oyster shucking competition which was won by local restaurateur and chef, Johnny Ball; and the cookery demonstration by James Strawbridge, of Hungry Sailors TV fame, who also hosted his own pasty crimping contest.

The final day of the festival saw the much-anticipated Working Boats race which was won by Rita, sailed by John Peters in the large racing working boats; Leila, sailed by Adam Bird in the small racing working boats; and Alf Smithers, sailed by Chris Ranger for the large dredging working boats.

Speaking at the end of the four days, Mr Rangecroft said: “As organisers we are delighted with the number of visitors who enjoyed the festival with us, and are always humbled by the support that is shown by local people, which was highlighted at the closing ceremony with the crowd joining in with the Oggymen's rendition of some good Cornish songs.

“We'd also like to thank all our sponsors, partners, supporters and oyster fishermen, who in its 18th year make the festival such a pleasure to put together.”

Main sponsor, Nigel Carpenter of St Michael’s Hotel and Spa, added: “We feel very proud to be part of a community that is so passionate about local, sustainable seafood. The array of Cornish food and drink, live music and skilled demonstrations at the festival was better than ever this year and we are already looking forward to next year's event.”

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet: