When is a Doc Martin fish not just a fish? When it’s a Cornish sardine with Mango…

Al couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Dad, why do you have a fish stapled to your beanie hat?” he asked.

Bert grinned: “Not just a fish, my lad, a Cornish sardine…”

Al shrugged: “Why do you have a Cornish sardine stapled to your hat?”

Bert replied: “Tourists, thousands of ‘em…”

Al shrugged again: “Nope, still gave no idea. How will putting sardines on your hat attract thousands of tourists to Portwenn?”

Bert tapped his nose: “Not real sardines. Pictures of ‘em to spread the word about the Portwenn Cornish Sardine Festival. 

“Other food festivals across the South West pack ‘em in. We’ll have stalls along the harbour, barbecue spots, a kids’ art competition, a fancy dress parade, people selling fishy-themed pottery, local craft ales, it’ll be handsome.”

Al thought about it for a few seconds.

“And we have the only place to stay in the village, plus our own pub restaurant. Yep, sounds like a winner to me. Lot of organisation, though,” Al added.

Bert nodded: “Which is why the whole village needs to get involved. Louisa is putting together a committee and we’ve already got Officer Penhale on board to find out what the authorities need from us for road closures and the like. He’s already mentioned the need to protect public safety and the new Martyn’s Law to help combat terrorism, while Mrs Tishell is very hot on food safety and making sure we comply with environmental regulations.”

Al smiled: “Louisa? Does that mean the Doc’s on board too?”

Bert laughed: “Don’t be daft, Al! The Doc’s far too busy for that. Though he did give us a couple of ideas for how we manage things. Says his cousin runs some opera festival and there’s a way of managing things online to ensure we all have access to the documents we need wherever there’s an internet connection. Mango, he says. Online compliance software, whatever that is…”

Al shrugged: “I’m all for making our lives easier. And the sort of fruit you can use in happy hour cocktails!”

Bert laughed: “Definitely! Now, how about some pan-fried Cornish sardines with samphire for dinner?”

Bert handed Al an apron and added: “You’d better practise before the big day.”

Al sighed, put on the apron, pulled the sardine off Bert’s hat, and trudged into the kitchen.

• Find out how Mango’s online compliance software could help your events. Book a free demonstration which will be delivered via Zoom. We can help you with a Martyn’s Law assessment, too. Call Penarth Management on 029 2070 3328 or email info@penarth.co.uk

• Need information on Martyn’s Law? Take a look at the programme of free seminars from our sister company The Protect Alliance: Events | The Protect Alliance (UK)