Western Morning News (Saturday)
Tributes paid to founder of Fisherman’s Friends group
THE Fisherman’s Friends have paid an emotional tribute to one of the world-famous Cornish shanty group’s founder members who has died.
The Port Isaac group, whose story reached a worldwide audience after a hit film about it, has marked the loss of “old friend” Peter Rowe, who passed away this week aged 76.
The Friends said he was at the heart of the group until his retirement a few years ago, saying: “Pete was a Fisherman’s Friend from the very start and always, always at the very heart of what we did.”
THE Fisherman’s Friends have paid an emotional tribute to one of the world-famous Cornish shanty group’s founder members who has died.
The Port Isaac group, whose story reached a worldwide audience after a hit film about it, has marked the loss of “old friend” Peter Rowe, who passed away on January 5, aged 76.
The Friends said he was at the heart of the group until his retirement a few years ago, and reminisced about their memories with him as they grew up in Port Isaac.
They said on Twitter: “It is with great sadness that we must say farewell to our old friend Peter Rowe, who died peacefully at home on Tuesday 5th January. Pete was a Fisherman’s Friend from the very start and always, always at the very heart of what we did. He lived and breathed the Fisherman’s Friends and we have greatly missed him since he finished singing with us a few years ago.
“To many of us, Pete had been an ever-present in our lives; we grew up with his children Jenny, Mark and Sarah, shopped in what we knew as ‘Peter’s’, his family newsagent business, watched him fish for lobsters with his brother Jack in their boat Francis Kate, and played in the many football teams that he ran in Port Isaac, from the under-16 up to seniors. Without Pete, the football team in Port Isaac would never have survived, but when it did finally fold, he was able to throw his boundless energy and enthusiasm into singing with the Fisherman’s Friends.”
The singers also revealed his role in the birth of The Fisherman’s Friends, adding: “From the outset, when we were nearly twenty in number, until his retirement he barely missed a gig. He made us a fantastic sign that used to wheel out every Friday night on the Platt to warn unsuspecting people that we might be performing – ‘The Fisherman’s Friends at Eight Bells- Be Here My Hearties’.”
They also spoke of his reaction to the moment the band was discovered and signed to a record label, saying: “When we were discovered and began tripping the light fantastic, no-one tripped it more enthusiastically, and he always chuckled about that day singing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury; although he never became a football star, he’d gone one better and became a rock god in his seventies!
“His jolly rendition of The Corncrake and his wistful rendering of the Mollymauk, amongst others, became staples of our performances until his retirement at nearly eighty. How we’ve missed him since; the senior member of our crew who helped steer us through sometimes choppy waters, we loved him very much and will miss him more than he could ever have imagined.
“Fare-thee-well on your voyage, old Fisherman’s Friend, it’s not the same without you. Our condolences to his widow Liz and his lovely family, Richard Peter Rowe – born Fore St Port Isaac 1933, died Middle St, Port Isaac 2021.”
Fans responded to the announce
‘Although he never became a football star, he’d gone one better and became a rock god in his seventies!’
ment with their own tributes.
The Fishermen’s Mission charity wrote: “So sorry to hear the news. Happy memories of the Fisherman’s Friends concerts in support of our work.
“Condolences and love to all and especially the family from all at Fishermen’s Mission.”
Bronwen Eva added: “How sad, this is a lovely tribute, would loved to have known him.” Kaye Nightingale said: “Sincere condolences to family, friends and the whole community.
“The sound of you all singing years and years ago on the Platt on the final night of our glorious holiday in Port Isaac is a much-treasured memory that will live in my heart forever. RIP Peter.”