Don’t Wake The Fish!
The Gurnard’s Head has confirmed the dates for its 2014 Real Ale and Music festival, Don’t Wake the Fish as the Summer Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th May. The festival, now in its third year at this famous Cornish inn, remains a small festival faithful to its roots. It originated as a celebration of Cornish brewing and brings together breweries and musicians as well as local artisans, all in the Gurnard’s Head’s grassy garden with the Atlantic as backdrop on one side and the ancient Penwithian moorland on the other.
The 2014 edition of Don’t Wake the Fish sees a range of 36 beers and ciders, many from microbreweries across Cornwall. Of these breweries, seven are regular suppliers to The Gurnard’s Head, which has at least three real ales on tap right through the year. Penzance vineyard and orchard, Polgoon, will supply perry and sparkling elderflower wine as well as their cloudy apple juice and cordials.
Head Chef Bruce Rennie has been working with local brewer, Noah, at Paradise Brewery to create an exclusive brew for the festival. This brew will be on tap at The Gurnard’s Head during Don’t Wake The Fish as well as at its sister inns, The Felin Fach Griffin in Wales and The Coastguard in Mousehole, over the following weeks.
A blue and white striped circus tent will host Cornish musicians throughout the weekend. The musical acts vary from choirs such as The 50 Degrees to much more upbeat bands like Black Friday & Sandy Acre 7. There will be other activities available such as face painting, garden games, Pucket tents, Morris Dancers, a skittle alley and more.
Food is to be provided by James Strawbridge’s, Posh Pasty Company and the recently set up Cornish Pizza Company based in St Agnes. Both will be serving from their very own street food vans. The Gurnard’s Head will be open as normal for lunch and supper and outside it will have a ‘Proper Barbeque’ offering shellfish, minute steak and pulled pork throughout the weekend.
Entry to Don’t Wake The Fish is free of charge. In 2013 many of the visitors camped in the neighbouring field at £5 per person for the weekend. A variety of non-alcoholic drinks from across the South West will be available ensuring that this is very much a family friendly weekend.
The Gurnard’s Head is located 500 yards from the cliffs on the West Penwith moorland with staggering views across the Atlantic. It is owned by brothers Charles and Edmund Inkin’s company, EATDRINKSLEEP. Their uncompromising belief in “the simple things in life done well” is reflected in the wonderful food, relaxed atmosphere and comfortable rooms.