Fishermen from Cadgwith Cove have recorded a CD 'Great Poems of the Sea' read by Fishermen of Cadgwith, Cornwall in support of the Fishermen's Mission.

The writings of the sea are recorded by men who have spent their lives fishing the forbidding waters around the Lizard Peninsula.

There are poems by the great, Tennyson, Masefield, Kipling, and Longfellow, together with excerpts from Melville's Moby Dick and Darwin's The Voyage of the Beagle.

These are all read by Cadgwith covemen Steve Collins, Nigel Legge, John Trewin, Plugger Jane, Luke Stephens, Martin Ellis, and Jonathan Fletcher.

Producer Robin Bates said:

"These are men more used to standing with salt in their hair and teeth on the deck of a crabber rather than standing in front of a microphone reading lines of poetry.

"But what you'll hear are authentic voices of men who know first-hand what the poets write about.

"In a way, the 21 tracks of the CD are a retort to the current fashion for recording sea shanties - often sung by singers who have never been to sea. For the men on this CD – it's a way of life."

Local musicians provide incidental music between the readings and the CD carries four songs, all original.

Two Men, written and performed by Paul Collins tells of two Cadgwith fishermen lost in 1994 when their boat sank in Kennack Bay.

The song reflects the disparity between domestic life ashore and the perils of life at sea.

The Fishermen's Mission supported the families of both fishermen through their grief and loss and is spoken of with great gratitude and respect in the Cadgwith fishing community.

All profits from sales of the CD are going to support the Mission's continuing work.

The CD, presented in a booklet-style sleeve designed by Serpentine Design of Cadgwith, is currently on sale for £10 in Cadgwith at The Crows Nest and the Cadgwith Cove Inn, in Ruan Minor Stores, The Fishermen's Mission in Helston or via email at [email protected].

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