Murdoch Day - Redruth - Kernow 16th June 2018

Each year Redruth celebrates its most famous citizen, inventor William Murdoch (1754 – 1839) when the town is packed with events and entertainment throughout the day for the whole family. Murdoch, although not born in Cornwall, is revered locally as a mechanical genius who improved the efficiency of steam engines in Cornwall’s tin mines.

He was also a pioneer of gas lighting and famed for building Britain’s first working model of a steam carriage which he demonstrated in and around Redruth in 1784.

For one day only, events include a children's dance and art procession, all day music and entertainment with local station Radio Cornwall, a street market with more than fifty stalls, an old time fair, locally themed exhibitions and a variety of live concerts and other events dotted round the town. Things kick off from 10am and all of the events are completely free!

Murdoch Day is Redruth's big day and really gets right to the heart of what the town is all about – its heritage, history, industry, but most of all community. Find a good vantage point to watch the spectacular parade when local schools process through the town carrying colourful art work they have made including giant ships, butterflies and dragons.

Murdoch’s major innovation was the use of coal gas in lighting as a replacement for oil and tallow. The house where Murdoch lived in Redruth was the first house in the UK to be lit by gas lighting in 1792.

Website: http://www.visitredruth.co.uk