Good Friday 'trigging' in Cornwall: cockle picking at Helford

The old Cornish term for cockle picking, trigging sees people armed with rakes and buckets digging through the riverbed at low tide at Helford, St Anthony and all around the estuary.

They are looking for cockles and winkles, which live just under the surface and can be uncovered at low tide.

Ancient law states that people are only allowed to do this on one day of the year – Good Friday.

Joseph finds a prime example of a cockle

Welly boots are a must-wear attire for the day, as families rake over the top level of mud in order to expose the cockle beds underneath the sediment.

For many families it has become an annual custom to all meet up and collect the cockles, before returning home to cook them together. Many gather on the beach for pasties to fuel their digging.

Thomas rakes through the mud

The tides fell perfectly on Friday, with receding water leading to a low tide at 1.30pm meaning ample opportunity to rake through the shallows and collect the treasure beneath.

A particularly good season for cockles was reported by many, with some heading home with a bucket full of shellfish to enjoy that evening, although others chose to throw back their finds.

Traditionally many Christians refrain from eating meat on Good Friday, in recognition of Jesus sacrificing his own flesh on the cross, which is why fish is often favoured on this day.

The Hosken and Hosking families joined for pasties on the beach

There were plenty of people out for the Good Friday tradition

Karen and Roger Richards were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary

The Carter and Richards families enjoying the sunshine

It was a chance for families to get together