Cornwall - This Fishing Life - Series 2

Episode
Episode 1 - Newquay
Broadcast Info
2021 (59 mins)
Description
t’s summer in Newquay. But you wouldn’t know it. Cornwall’s most popular tourist resort has been in lockdown for months. Reliant on tourism, some are predicting it could be the worst hit Covid town in England. Now, restrictions are beginning to ease - and not a moment too soon for the town’s fishermen, most of whom have been tied up for months. With lost time to catch up on, and livelihoods on the line, the fleet are steaming into a summer like no other. Buck Beckett, and twelve-year-old son Freddie were one of the few Newquay crews to fish throughout lockdown, mostly for shellfish. After restaurants closed, demand for luxury food for home-dining surged, pushing up the price of lobster. And Buck saw an opportunity. Selling his catch direct gave Buck far better prices than he used to get from the wholesaler. But as things get busy, can he and Freddie keep up with demand over the summer? The Beryl M is skippered by Ben Eglington. the ex-naval officer returned to Newquay a few years ago and has a reputation for doing things differently. With restaurants due to open he’s heading far offshore to catch turbot, but will his gamble pay off. On Cornwall’s north coast, rough seas can keep the fleet at bay for weeks at a time. During lockdown Ben created a business model which was both Covid-proof and weather-proof. Fish boxes, sourced from Newlyn market they can be delivered to your door. Ross King is skipper of the Excelsior. His mum Gill runs a café, serving all his fresh catch. But with his mum Gill shielding throughout lockdown, they have a difficult decision to make about whether to open or not - they need the money the summer brings, but could it effect their health? It’s a dilemma the town and county as a whole is dealing with. Ross, has other family pressures, and can’t always get out to sea, as he needs to look after young son Dylan. Can he find enough windows to get out and bring home the catch to keep the café and the family afloat? As super Saturday arrives and lockdown lifts, the tourist hoards arrive. Roger at the seafood restaurant, converts his traditional business into a pop up food court with fresh ait and plenty of space. For the fishermen the crowds create havoc, and concerns for their safety.
Genre
Economics; Business Studies; Culture

How to cite this record

The Open University, "Cornwall - This Fishing Life - Series 2". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ou/search/index.php/prog/238459 (Accessed 10 Jan 2025)