The Redruth Mining and Pasty Festival has got underway in the town, offering visitors a raft of special events and entertainment over the weekend.

This year the festival will be opened by Julie Skentelbery of BBC Radio Cornwall, in an event that also sees the appearances of TV chef and environmentalist James Strawbridge and local great-grandmother Eunice Woolcock, who sprung to fame with her larger-than-life personality, and exceptional crimping skills, on ITVs Food Glorious Food.

Organisers for the event, which runs from September 12 to 14 in Redruth town centre, say they have been working harder than ever to make this year’s event bigger and better for the residents and tourists to Redruth.

Now in its third year, the festival includes a return to the popular free pasty-making activity, street entertainment, live music, cooking demonstrations and even a fancy dress competition. 

Organisers are reporting that the number of food, drink and craft stalls in the town centre will triple the amount seen at the first two events and as well as pasties will include cakes, cheese, meat, fudge, shellfish, beer, bunting, paintings and much more.

Redruth will also be welcoming delegates and official visitors from twin-town Real Del Monte in Mexico. 

The town holds their own “Paste” Festival in October and has close links with the first Pasty Festival in Redruth.

Friday is Miner’s Day

  • Street Theatre from 3.45pm.  A new play, written about the true story of the miner who sold his wife and emigrated, will be performed by drama students from Redruth School. 
  • The afternoon also includes a public service by Rev Shirley Harrison and tales from Cornish Mines with Storyteller, Mark Haradon.
  • Plus experts from Geevor, East Pool Mine, Town Museum & Federation of Old Cornwall Societies at Market Strand from 2-4pm.
  • Charity Gig at St Rumon’s Club from 7pm in aid of Larf Cornwall and Marie Curie – Cornish music, raffle and pasty sponsored by West End Bakery all for £4 – all money to charity! Tickets on sale on the night!

Saturday is Pasty Day

  • The town centre will be lined with high-quality Cornish food, drink and craft stalls.  See how many different pasty fillings you can try!
  • The free ‘make your own’ pasty activity between 10am-1pm is back again!
  • Live music on a covered stage, plus other street entertainment including the Aberfal Oggymen.
  • Cooking demonstrations featuring James Strawbridge, Marion Symonds, Elaine Ead, Joe Lado Devesa, Angie Shepherd, Sanjay Kumar and Eunice Woolcock
  • Exhibitions and children’s craft activities in the Cornish Studies Library
  • Refreshments and displays at Murdoch House
  • Evening entertainment at St Rumon’s Club
  • Oggy Treasure Trail including free badges and other prizes
  • Snail races, guess the teddy name, throwing a sponge music, short plays and to top it all off a talent competition put on by Redruth Youth Council.

Sunday is Memorial Day

  • 10am Pilgrimage with the Bishop of Truro from Bassett Stamp to St Euny Church
  • 11am Blessing of graves in the churchyards 
  • 11.40 In Church: Cornish stories, songs, dancing, an historic photographic display, And a classical guitar recital by our Mexican friends
  • 1pm Pasty Lunch
  • 2.30pm A talk by Alan Buckley
  • 3.30pm Cream Teas
  • Redruth Fun day – afternoon of music, performances and fair stalls at Victoria Park (TR15 2HQ).  Run by Redruth Lions, all starting at 12 midday.

 

3 Daft Monkeys, DJ Heller, Hanterhir & Tank Sherman live in concert, 7pm The Zone Nightclub.  Tickets £10, book online – tel: 01209 210038 to book tickets

More information on the Pasty Festival, including the 3 Daft Monkeys concert, can be found at www.visitredruth.co.uk, or by phoning 01209 210038.

Organisers say the have also been very lucky to have been sponsored this year by SJ Andrew & Son of South Turnpike who are celebrating 100 years of trading in Redruth.