Local People left flabbergasted after visitor complains "I see dead fish" in Ilfracombe Harbour
By Ilf_Peeps | Tuesday, September 06, 2011, 17:55
Ilfracombe residents are up in arms after a visitor to the town complained about the smell and sight of dead fish on one of the boats in Ilfracombe Harbour.
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Ilfracombe has a working Harbour full of fishing boats and yachts.
The North Devon Journal ran a story last week after David Copp complained not only to the newspaper, but to the local Harbourmaster as well. Mr Copp's main concerns were that his children were "distressed" by the "awful" sight and smell of the 12 crates of dead crabs and fish aboard the Lady of Lundy.
The complaint has touched a nerve with locals who have been left bemused as to just what Mr Copp thought he was likely to see on a fishing boat in a working harbour. Many people have gone online to voice their bewilderment, with one commenting "I had to check the date-not sure if it was April 1st or not! It's just so stupid I don't really see how it has made the news!" Another took offence to Mr Copps' opinion of the local fisherman that "These people should be a bit more considerate to the holidaymakers" responding with "I think this is the first time I've ever been actually offended in my life. How about being considerate to the people who live in this town and work to support it during the significant portion of the year when you don't fancy a Mr. Whippy?"
Ironically the negative comments made by the disgruntled father have actually resulted in positive publicity for our town with National news stories by the Mail, the Telegraph and AOL all putting Ilfracombe firmly on the tourism radar. By far the majority of readers who commented on the stories were in defence of the local fishermen and their livelihood, as well as the positive aspects of being able to visit a working harbour. One of the Telegraph's readers commented "It beggars belief that anyone with any brain cells at all would complain about the sight and smell of fish on a harbour side. Can see it now dozens of harbour officials running around with air sprays trying to clear the air of fish smells."
Comments
Just reading the travel page of the Toronto Star and a list of travellers' complaints :- 1."I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams and ginger nuts" 2."It's lazy of the the local shopkeepers to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' time - this should be banned."....5.A tourist in Africa spotted a visibly aroused elephant and complained the sight of the beast had ruined his honeymoon by making him feel 'inadequate'...7. "The beach was too sandy."...11."We bought 'Ray-Ban' sunglasses for five Euros from a street trade, only to find out they were fake."....12."No one told us there would be fish in the sea. The children were startled.".....15."The brochure stated:'No hairdressers at the accommodation.' We're hairdressers-will we be OK staying there?"...18."It is your duty as a tour operator to advise us of noisy or unruly guests before we travel."...19."I was bitten by a mosquito. No-one said they could bite." So it seems our 'Mr. Smellyfish ' complainer either travels a lot or has friends or relatives that do. Ya just CAN'T please everyone these days!!
By ExDevonian at 19:09 on 18/09/11
Report"Dozens of harbour officials running around with air freshners trying to clear the air of fish smells".Its not that far from the truth as a landfill site in the south east automatically emits a "fresh aroma" from around the site boundary to sweeten the air.
Lets hope that doesn`t happen as a harbour SHOULD smell of fish and sea air!
By skareggae72 at 11:41 on 07/09/11
ReportCan't believe what I read, what a silly man now he's just made himself the laughing stock of the country if not worldwide.
Just what did he expect of a working harbor and to say his children were distressed wouldn't it have been better had he explained to them that this was what a working harbor was all about, educate his children about just were some of the food that they eat comes from, I agree with one of the locals when they commented about "did he think food came in packages" perhaps this man live in a sterile bubble
And, in my opinion, Rob Lawson you had no need to justify the workings of the harbor if this man was intelligent he would have known, stupid man
By PollyPage at 09:28 on 07/09/11
ReportI just saw this story on Yahoo! Fantastic publicity for Ilfracombe, not so good for Mr Copp who has made himself in to a national laughingstock. Next time he ventures out of whichever pristine, sanitised OCD environment he lives in I would suggest noseplugs. Or if they don't work, a gag!
By devonmaid89 at 18:22 on 06/09/11
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