Federation of Old Cornwall Societies On-line Shop

 Of all the beautifual locations in Cornwall, Cadgwith remains unique.   Always remote, sheltering a once tightly-knit industrious Cornish community in its secluded little valley, Cadgwith still echoes the magic of its eventful Cornish past...

No visit to Cadgwith is complete without walking to Poltesco and Carleon Cove.   A description of that enchanting neighbouring valley, where serpentine eventually replaced fish to eke out a meagre living, is included along with a wealth of vintage photographs and illustrations.

Michael Tangye is well-known to Old Cornwall members in his long-term role as the Federation’s Recorder of Archaeology and one of its past Presidents.    He has been active for his entire adult life following the precepts of Old Cornwall and has a vast collection of information gathered from field work and from talking to the older generations.  

This book results from his enthusiasm for the fishing coves of Cornwall, and is chock-full of the fruits of his research.   It is perhaps the best kind of book for the Federation to publish to show what it is really “all about”.

For anyone who wishes to discover how Cadgwith came into being there is ample data on the story of the buildings, revealing their function in the fishing industry; plenty too about the artefacts like presses and capstans (and these are illustrated with the author’s delightful sketches).   Especially rich is the insight into the fishing industry itself, the seining, barking the nets, and so forth.   There is even a chapter on the Cadgwith whalers!  

Local landmarks are highlighted, The Todden and the Devil’s Frying Pan, and there is also a look at schooling and leisure activities in the village, the local dialect, and, of course, smuggling and wrecking.

Neighbouring Poltesco is explored with the author’s research findings on the Carleen Fish Cellar and, more extensively, the Lizard Serpentine Company, a fascinating section in itself.

The design of the 78-page book by Barry Yendall is unusual and fresh for a local history publication, with a real abundance of old and modern photographs, plus valuable plans and those appealing drawings by Mr Tangye.   The choice of cover image is a master stroke and this one shouts from the shelves ‘Buy me!’   You should – you will not be disappointed.                                                                                     

Terry Knight

West Briton 11 October 2007

"The importance of gathering fragments of local history while there is still time could not be more clearly evidenced than in Michael Tangye's admirable new book Once 'twas Serpentine and Fish, writes Douglas Williams. Nearly 35 years ago he sat with the old and retired fishermen "on the stick" plank bench at Cadgwith and listened to their rich dialect.

He recorded their words and delighted in their stories.

This Redruth bard has brought the research of his own labours and many others to recall past years. Around all the tales of Cadgwith, Poltesco and Carleon Cove is an excellent spread of photographs of those old days, magnificently illustrating his themes."