Monty Halls to make Cornish return (From Falmouth Packet)

Monty Halls to make Cornish return

8:00am Saturday 28th July 2012 in Helston

After spending an entire year living the life of a fisherman in Cadgwith for TV series The Fisherman’s Apprentice, Monty Halls can’t seem to stay away from all things Cornish.

As part of the TV show Monty immersed himself in the art of lobster and crab fishing, alongside learning the hardships that the last remaining small boat fishermen in the UK face today.

During his time in the cove, Monty made a friend in Nigel Legge, a local fisherman on the Lizard Peninsula who was willing to offer the marine biologist a helping hand. Nigel showed him the ropes and made sure he rose to the challenge in this very demanding sink or swim environment.

Monty said: “It was an absolutely extraordinary eight months of my life. Nige was responsible for me and because I had never set foot on a fishing boat before, he was endlessly patient and took great care of me.

“I am so grateful to have learnt just a fraction of what Nige knows because it would take generations and generations for me to know everything he knows.

“Every single fisherman I met was hospitable. It was a very, very positive experience all round.”
Monty has taken the popular TV series even further by writing an accompanying book of the same name to be promoted today, Wednesday, at the Penzance Literary Festival.

Monty added: “Personally, of all the literary festivals I am promoting my book at, the Penzance Literary Festival is the most important to me. It is the most significant, applicable and pertinent because it is within the heart of the fishing community where the book is set.

“It is going to be fantastic meeting the people who are interested in the book. I believe that the discussion is going to be filled with fishermen who are really going to know the realistic, rigorous aspects of fishing.”

Monty will also be appearing at the renowned Falmouth Oyster Festival in October for an evening packed with tantalising tales of travels, experiences and adventures.

Monty said: “I’m very excited to be part of this year’s Falmouth Oyster Festival. It’s a great chance to visit Cornwall again and find out more about the fascinating history of the oyster fishery.”