A group that helps look after the Mousehole sea pool have been filled with pride after the attraction was featured in a new book.
Architect Chris Romer-Lee has chosen Mousehole Rock Pool in the top six tidal pools in the world in his title Sea Pools.
The author visited Rock Pool Cafe in Mousehole last week to give a talk about his new book, sign copies and explain why the pool made the top six.
The initial idea of Mousehole Rock Pool evolved in May 1969 by Mousehole man Harry Pender. Harry had no safe place for his two daughters, Fran and Ruth, to enter the sea so he pulled the village together and it was built and opened in August 1970.
During covid history repeated itself when local man, Chris Yacoubian, now a father of three young girls, decided to revive the Mousehole tradition of local fathers undertaking an annual pool clean ready for the summer season and the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool was then born. There are now restoration plans underway and funding has been secured.
Elaine Trethowan from the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool, said: “We had an amazing time with Chris Romer-Lee, the author of Sea Pools.
“We are thrilled that our wonderful little rock pool has been recognised in this way.
“It’s a real tribute to the men of Mousehole who had the foresight and determination to build Mousehole Rock Pool all those years ago.
“There was a great turn out for the book signing, and it was lovely to see almost all of our guests disappearing through the door with a copy under their arm.”
Chris Romer-Lee added: “It was an emotional afternoon.
“The turnout was fantastic and the deep love for the pool was evident in eagerness to purchase the book but also in the determination to restore the pool. I was repeatedly asked how Mousehole’s pool ever made the book, when pitched against the glamour of Sydney’s and Cape Town’s pools, some of which are twice the size of a Premier League football pitch. But it’s easy question to answer, it’s the strength of the community behind it.
“From when Harry lit the first dynamite fuse, to the children clearing the pool on volunteer days this summer, this pool has the interests of the community at its heart.
“Few, if any, other pools had such a committed community led approach to maintaining the pool. The original drawings and historic photos from the opening in 1970 are also a very special record of a momentous moment.
“Hearing of the generous financial support that Mousehole Harbour Authority and its commissioners have recently offered the restoration project is the icing on the cake or the biggest splash.
“I’ve offered my help as author or architect at Studio Octopi to anything else the Friends think I can help with.”
Ruth Pender, daughter of Harry and secretary of Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool said: “It’s such an honour to be part of this amazing team and to carry on the legacy that my dad and other village men started all those years ago. We now have the opportunity to preserve and restore the Rock Pool for many generations to come.”
• Anyone interested in helping with the restoration, or would like to volunteer, email [email protected]