Sea fishing in Looe is a popular pastime and many people visit Looe to do just that.

If you enjoy your sea fishing then please leave Alan a comment via the comment form at the end of the article.

Just click the Read More link below for more details, pictures and a Pollock Fact File!

Read more about Sea fishing in Looe

Today’s blog post is from Alan Tennant, who in 1974 caught what turned out to be almost the largest shore caught Pollock from anywhere in the UK.

The enormous fish weighed in just 1oz shy of the record and netted Alan 15 minutes of fame via the Sea Angler, Anglers Mail and the News of the World no less!

The following words and magazine cover picture were supplied by Alan after which I’ve added a few facts about sea fishing in Looe and and the mighty fish – the Pollock.

Giant Pollock caught by Alan Tennant off the Banjo Pier

The photo on the front of the ‘Sea Angler’ magazine was taken by Mike Milman on the jetty at Port Wrinkle the morning after I caught the fish!

The giant pollock was caught between Christmas Day and New Year 1973 on the Banjo Pier.

It was a cold and windy night. The gate would be across these days detering anyone from accessing the pier but back in those days things were a little more relaxed.

After quite a fight I brought the fish to the pier steps where a plucky fellow “Erny Varco ” climbed down the steps to gaff the fish. He also dispatched the fish in a proper manor. Thanks again Erne. Hope I’ve spelt your name right?

12lb 10oz Pollock

The Pollock weighed in at 12-10oz which at the time (1974) was just 1oz under the national shore caught record!

Fishing gear

I caught the fish on an Aberdeen hook baited with a live sand eel dug from the Looe river bed (anyone reading this please don’t dig around moorings). The Pollock was weighed on the fish quay by Mr Brian Tudor, the then secretary of the Shark Angling Club of Great Britain, sadly no longer with us I believe. Brian was taken away from his pint in the Salutation Inn by my then wife Jean nee Ramsey to do the job! Thank you to both.

The picture n the magazine also appeared on the front cover of the Anglers Mail and in the News of the World supplement on the same page as Jacqueline Bisset, Johnny Mathis and Sophia Loren! A fishy tale I hear you say but quite true! My thanks go out to Mike Milman once again for taking the photo.

Alan Tennant

Fishy Fact File – The Pollock

Comments Please

Please leave Alan a comment bellow.

This is a quick post to say thank you to the Cornish Times who have mentioned ilovelooe.co.uk and my Tesco Poll (on the right →) in their paper on the letters page (17).

If you haven’t got a copy then I suggest you pop out and buy one over the weekend as there is a full page of letters AGAINST the Tesco store proposal.

No doubt next week will see another flurry of letters so don’t be afraid to leave your comments here too. Click the huge link below to leave your thoughts on the Tesco Store and the good/negative impact it might have on Looe.

Tell your friends (Facebook, Twitter, phone etc) about the Tesco Poll and ask everyone to vote →

Please leave your comments below

Feel free to reply to others who have left theirs too.

Also, what do you think about the Poll? Good, Bad, Should use different questions.

Let me know below, I try to reply to everyone as soon as I can.

As always, I ask you to respect other people’s opinions and not make any of your comments inflammatory, derogatory or personally aimed at another individual. All such comments will be deleted!

Just a quick update after the Tesco exhibition and consultation in the Looe Community School yesterday and Friday.

You can read some interesting comments both for and against in these two posts:

Is having a Tesco in Looe really a bad thing?

Viking II – The Return of Tesco

I have commented on both and some interesting numbers came to life today as I did some calculations based on figures given to me by one of the reps at the Looe Community School.

NEW – Tesco in Looe free opinion Poll

I have placed a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ opinion poll in the right column – Please vote today. One vote each and all confidential.

Approx. vehicle numbers to the proposed Tesco store (updated)

Here’s a quick run down on the approx. number of envisioned vehicular movements once the store has opened. They’re based on 8 vehicular movements in or out of the development every minute over a 12 hour time period between the hours of 9am and 9pm. These 8 movements extrapolate to…

• Hour = 480 (240 in / 240 out)
• Day = 5,760 (2,880 in / 2,880 out)
• Week = 40,320 (20,160 in / 20,160 out)
• Month (30 days) = 172,800 (86,400 in / 86,400 out)
• Year = 2,073,600 (1,036,800 in / 1,036,800 out)

Yes, you read that correctly…

Two million seventy three thousand six hundred extra vehicular movements a year. Here it is again…

2,073,600

That’s a lot of extra car journeys each year!

Read my full comment and thoughts here: Viking II – The Return of Tesco and let me know what you think.

If there are any mathematicians or statisticians out there who can work these numbers out more accurately, please write in and let me know your conclusions. (Thank you Kerry for pointing out the errors – I hope the numbers are better explained now)

Don’t forget to vote on the right

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Hey everyone. Today’s post is by a Rachel Hindle, who describes herself as an ‘avid returner to Looe‘.

Rachel contacted me back in 2011 about writing a guest post and I thought it would be wonderful to have a visitors view of the town.

Well here we are, Rachel’s eloquent and supremely descriptive post. Thank you so much for taking the time and for sending it in. All words and pictures supplied by Rachel.

Looe, Cornwall’s Jewel In The Crown

After an increasingly lean funnel of size zero roads, we wove around the final bend, with the object of desire shimmying majestically into view – nestled between dramatic cliff tops, lay the picture perfect Looe.

Pulling up outside Anchor Lights our elegant harbour side Edwardian B&B, the mid evening streets were deserted, with only the fairground style lights draped along the edge of the sea walls to keep us company. We were greeted by a mild stream of fresh salty sea air, owing to the Cornish micro climate. Our upscale bolthole didn’t disappoint, with contemporary luxury woven through fore and aft, from the large, airy Pengelly sea view room, to the soft toned décor and bedding, and the exquisite, locally sourced breakfast selection.

Like the best travel, it’s the quirky surprises, rather than the well-known show-stoppers, that hit the high notes, and following a brisk 500 foot walk along the horse shoe harbour, the quirky Jolly Sailor – one of Britain’s oldest pubs came into view.

A raucous welcome ensued as we ducked through the narrow beamed doorway of the 16th century watering hole. Some time later, amidst the barmaids’ impromptu tambourine session, our attention was caught by a huge dark beam above the bar, reportedly salvaged from a French ship at the battle of Trafalgar.

Locals around Looe have turned relaxation, lubricated with decent wine and fresh seafood, into an art form, but you don’t need to splash a second mortgage at a flash restaurant. The Smugglers Cottage serves super-sized lobster in its grade 2 listed snug, surrounded by old fishing nets, with dark walls and dimmed lights completing the smuggler vibe. The lobster is extraordinary, its plump flesh in plentiful supply, with an addictive sweet aftertaste.

What is it that makes Cornwall special? Cornish author Terry Faull tells me – ‘In Cornwall anyone can become an explorer. Along the coast and across the countryside, a network of public paths and lanes lead to dramatic sea washed cliffs or to sheltered inland valleys where grey/green lichens pattern the walls of granite churches where Celtic saints once knelt. What stories could be told; smugglers and sea farers, farmers and miners, lovers and mourners. Depending on your own wishes there are long walks or gentle strolls. Walks in summer sunshine have their own pleasures of course but on colder and even rainy days, real enjoyment comes from the feeling of the elements and anticipation of the reward to come from a well earned drink and rest by the fireside.’

I enjoy the roughness, the sheer otherness of Cornwall. There is romance in its gnarled old seamen, in its dotted Edwardian frontages, in the range of its amenities.

But while contemporary accommodation is a welcome development guaranteed to keep Looe on the food and travel map, the compact fishing port seems more than capable of retaining its unhurried, sunny, bling-free charm, whilst revealing a truly timeless and unique magic.

Rachel Hindle – November 2011

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If you would like to send in a guest post for ilovelooe.co.uk please contact me.

This is a guest post from Phil Crouch-Baker who used to visit Looe as a child some 40 years ago.

As a young boy visiting Looe for the first time some 40 years ago, my clearest memories are of the sharks.

Huge beasts suspended by thick tails for weighing at the quay side. Lifeless, but still menacing with their razor sharp grin.

Read more about Phil’s Memories of Looe

Travelling from Kent, holidays in Looe were always an adventure – Cornwall was almost a foreign land.

My brother and I looked forward to the delights of East Looe beach, with its arched sweep of golden sand and buying a buried treasure map or two.

the perfect spot for crabbing or scoffing a Mr Whippy, double flaked of course

Looe harbour, filled with brightly decked fishing boats, was the perfect spot for crabbing or scoffing a Mr Whippy, double flaked of course. With our parents, we strolled around quiet streets of East and West Looe, stopping at cafés and rock pooling on Hannafore’s rugged beach. Looe was fun.

25 years on

25 years on, I returned for a few days and, apart from a large car park, Looe town still regained its picturesque charm.

Attractive, flower adorned houses climbed the hillsides, whilst pretty twittens still encouraged you to explore for that quaint tea shop or unusual gift.

By now, I was a serious outdoor enthusiast and jumped on the Looe Valley Line to Coombe. The line follows the East Looe river, busy with small sail boats and fishermen. From Coombe station, I cut west to Herodsfoot and returned to Looe via the pretty West Looe river path. Just one of many great walks in the area.

In the evenings, Looe town would explode into a myriad of rainbow lights drawing you into the many restaurants and pubs.

In the evenings, Looe town would explode into a myriad of rainbow lights drawing you into the many restaurants and pubs. Looe is very family orientated and offers a varied menu for all tastes and wallets!

My last visit was in June, 2011. Friends who moved to East Looe a few years ago, invited me to their wedding at the Town Hall.

I stayed in a quiet B&B for a couple of days in West Looe over looking St George’s Island, known locally as Looe Island and couldn’t help smiling to myself as memories flooded back. The wedding was a lovely affair, with eats and drinks at the popular Polraen Country House Hotel at Sandplace, just outside of Looe.

The following day, my attention focussed on the walk I had planned – Looe to West Combe via Polperro leaving from West Looe. Blue sunshine accompanied me on this fantastic cliff top walk. My route is a small part of the famous South West Coast Path which stretches for 630 miles from Minehead to Pool Harbour, Dorset. Looe, being on the path, is a popular stop over point for walkers on this classic.

Polperro is a visitors delight. With its whitewashed cottages and no cars, it is just one of many charming villages within walking or driving distance of Looe, along with numerous stunning beaches such as Downderry and Seaton.

My experiences of Looe have always been pleasant, relaxing and sometimes exciting. A friendly, family town with a little something for everyone.

There is one thing though in Looe that I don’t miss. Since 1994, the sharks are no longer brought into Looe harbour for weighing. Instead, they are measured and released. One of the few changes in Looe, but for the better.

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If you would like to write a post for ILoveLooe please send it to me via the contact page. I welcome any interesting stories, memories or photos from the past and I know that others will too.

Also, please comment on Phil’s post, I’m sure he’d appreciate any memories you have of Looe too.

This is a Guest Post by Ben Holtam – Looe resident.

It seems only a matter of time now that one of the major stores venture into Looe and with that store possibly going to be Tesco, I ask the question; would that really be a bad thing?

The most popular answer seems to be yes, but why?

Well, again the popular answer is that it would “kill the town”, but how?

Who out of us does our weekly shop at Morrisons in Liskeard or perhaps even further afield?

Why should we have to get up on a Saturday or Sunday morning and drive out of the town rather than popping up to the Barbican?

Read More: Is having a Tesco in Looe really a bad thing?

How local are our shops anyway?

Is Co-Op a locally owned shop?

How about Boots?

Perhaps Spar?

These shops all buy their goods from companies who aren’t local suppliers. I believe that the Barbican and West Looe Londis’ buy from local farmers or distributers but the others certainly don’t.

It is now a fact of life that within Cornwall local shops are disappearing. I can remember the days when in Looe we had 4 butchers but they all closed down way before having a Tesco in Looe was even discussed.

There are now only a few places where you can buy vegetables and no designated newsagents anywhere in the town. We all already use supermarkets in one way, shape or form.

Now what about the things Supermarkets sell that you cannot buy in Looe. Imagine not having to travel to St. Austell, Bodmin or Plymouth to buy basic school uniform for starters. How about DVDs, games & music CDs? All sold at supermarket prices.

Personally, I think about what it would be like to not have to pay seemingly tourist’s prices at the fuel pump in the Texaco garage on Station Road. In other towns where there is more than one fuel station, prices are greatly cheaper. I also believe that it would encourage existing local shops to smarten up their act which can only be good for the likes of us, the consumer.

Value for money

I do wonder whether or not we get value for our money within Looe seeing as it’s a tourist destination. Does anyone else feel that we locals are being somewhat ripped off when paying up to a pound for a bottle of mineral water?

Now, should our default response to having a Tesco in Looe really be “No”? Or perhaps should we be thinking “Yes”?

Ben Holtam

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Please leave your thoughts and replies to Ben’s thoughts below.

Guest Post by Derek Braithwaite – Looe resident.

Coming your way soon! The latest blockbuster for 2012 – ‘Viking II – The Return of Tesco.’

It’s the tale of how an army of cash-driven corporate raiders returned to wreak havoc on the Cornish coast.

With bags of gold, battalions of PR men and London lawyers they set out to invade and colonise a corner of south-east Cornwall by building an edge of town supermarket and then wait for the besieged town to crumble and fall.

Yes, they tried it before and were sent packing. But now they’re back and in January next year the main offensive begins.

Read More: Viking II – The Return of Tesco

Tesco wants a 25,000sq ft supermarket on a ten acre site with parking for 250 cars.

I have no doubt they will offer the usual bag of mirrors and beads to Cornwall Council planners. They may offer better road access, perhaps a swimming pool for the school, free parking, more jobs, more choice, more of everything to impress councillors and planners.

They buy the land and begin buying friends.

Once the plan is nodded through they systematically eat the town by undercutting the independent traders, screw the farmers and suppliers and shrug as small businesses go to the wall.

It’s like inviting Mad Max to your daughter’s birthday party

Let’s be clear. Tesco isn’t investing the loose change from it’s £350bn profits to give the local greengrocer/fishmonger/electrical supplier/clothes shop a helping hand.

Let’s look at some of the supportive arguments from the deluded and short-sighted who think Tesco lurking over the hill is a good thing.

It will bring more shoppers into Looe

No it won’t. You can’t even see Looe from the site they want. Out of town shoppers will drive to Tesco, stock up and drive home.

It will create jobs

Up to a point. The minimum number of part-time and semi-skilled workers on the minimum wage – these guys aren’t into benevolent job creation schemes. They are into maximising every penny of profit. In many cases the ‘new’ jobs come from the shops which have had to close because of the impact of the retail giants.

They will offer more choice

No they won’t. A centralised retail policy means that slapping the word Cornish here and there doesn’t mean you are getting something different from a store in, say, Newcastle.

Practically every market town in this country which has had a supermarket plonked on the edge has felt the pain of a diminished community.

Not that everything in Looe is rosy. For example we have two Co-op mini-markets a couple of hundred yards apart selling the same stuff at the same prices. If one had become say, a Tesco-Metro, or M&S-Express then I’d be happy. That would bring people into the heart of the town and give them a chance to see what else the place has to offer. But that’s not going to happen. The reality is that if you really want more of those cute Everything For a Quid shops, or more charity shops, or if you sell plywood for boarding up empty shop windows, then the Tesco plan is for you.

If you want to stop them it won’t be easy. Tesco, like the other retail giants are very good at getting their own way.

But the big boys can be beaten – ask the St Denis campaigners.

Get your pen and paper out. Write to the town council, write to Cornwall Council and just say ‘No’.

When it comes to getting your voice heard, remember. Every Little Helps.

Author: Derek Braithwaite from Red Letter Media