Stan the Man

Heard a brass band and drums fire-up this morning whilst having breakfast and nursing a particularly thick head. Rushed out to catch this town parade starting it's march through Beaumaris and up to the Church for a special service. It involved various groups such a the Town Mayor, Councillors , British Legion, RNLI and sea scouts etc. Glen the Lifeboat had filled me in all about this last night in the Bull, but I had forgotten about it - Damn those Bass and 'Nigerian Export' Guinness. Not even sure what it was in aid of, but always nice to see.

Central to this particular shot is Stan Zalot who runs the local fishing boat charter and also the Gallows Point boat yard where I used to keep my old boat Scheherazade. Didn't recognise him in a suit, but interesting to see the 'captains' hat that is a permanent feature on his head in the boatyard was still wedged-on tight.

Given the dire fishing yesterday, it was interesting to read in the local press that Councillor and ex-mayor Stan and his son and new mayor Jason, are both opposing Welsh Government plans for a new Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) out near Penmon and Puffin island (see yesterdays Blipfolio here).

If adopted, this would become like Lundy where no commercial or recreational fishing is permitted - amongst other conservation measures. That would be a big loss for fishermen like me, though am not entirely sure that this would not be for a greater good. I do suspect that this area has been long over-fished given its easy access and 'bottle-neck' of water running in and out of the Straits.

Is that the reason Kempy and I can't seem to catch Bass there? In a funny sort of way that would be reassuring to think so - though sometimes I doubt we could shoot fish in a barrel!