St Piran's Day in Redruth - Saturday 5th March, 2016

Redruth in Kernow has published the programme brochure for one of the biggest celebrations of Cornish culture and identity with organisers promising that this year's St Piran's Festival will be better than ever!

Saint Piran has been widely accepted now as Cornwall's National Saint and his black flag with its white cross is flown as the flag of Cornwall outside public buildings and other places across the Duchy.

Such is the popularity of the Redruth event, that it was mentioned in a submission by the Westminster Government to the Council of Europe as an example of Cornish difference and National Identity.

The festival will take place in Redruth, the World Capital of Cornish Mining, on Saturday 5th March, 2016, Piran day itself, for Piran was the Patron of Tinners.

Live street entertainment is set for the day at St Rumons Gardens, Regal Cinema, the Tinner's Hounds and at the town's Miners Statue.

A midday procession will leave Lower Fore Street before winding its way around the town and will include St Piran himself, local school children, the Deputy Grand Bard and other Bards of Gorsedh Kernow, The Mayor of Redruth and Councillors, the area's MP, George Eustice as well as many others and they will be musically escorted by no less than three processional bands.

The Cornish National Anthem 'Trelawny' will be sung by award winning Four Lanes Male Voice Choir accompanied by the gathered crowd and the popular Celtic Music Ensemble and many other choirs and bands will bring music to the streets of the old Cornish town.

Murdoch House will be opening its doors for a day of Cornish activities provided by Cornish language charity Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek and Redruth Story Group will set up shop in the town's Baptist church.

There will be a Victorian Photographic Extravaganza at Kresen Kernow - the Cornish Studies Centre - and children's zone at Alma Place with steam engines and a miniature railway, a Piran archaeological dig and other activities and a Cornish craft fair will be opening its doors at Redruth Methodist Church.

A free vintage coach journey will circle the town giving passengers the chance to experience a nostalgic journey through this most Cornish of communities.

Evening entertainment will be provided at St Rumon's Club in Penryn Street as well as an acoustic gathering at The Venue, Tolgus Wartha, just off Plain an Gwarry.

Councillor Mike Chappell, Chair of the organising group said, 'I am so grateful to the team of people who have spent the past year working towards this event. In previous years we have witnessed huge crowds of many thousands and an outpouring of national pride in our little land to the west of the Tamar. So I say 'welcome one and all' and come and enjoy Cornwall's special day!'

For a full timetable of events visit here.