Penryn celebrates its 800th anniversary this year and plans are afoot for a packed programme of parties and events.

The organisers of the year's festivities are calling on residents, social and volunteer groups, and businesses to come together and organise something special to mark the town's remarkable and historic milestone, with plans stretching from May Day through to the Christmas lights.

Penryn was founded in 1216, and as well as its usual annual events there are plans to revive old customs and create new spectacles, as well as hopes that residents will come together to create events and street parties on their own initiative.

The town council has set a budget of £15,000 for the celebrations, called Penryn 800, to be overseen by the Penryn Week Committee, which held its first meeting in January and chose Councillor Mary May as chair.

The meeting was attended by about 40 people including members of Penryn's artistic community and representatives from the Penryn Campus, as well as local businesses and councillors, and plans for new events were discussed, as well as how to tie in the current plans for May Day, Penryn week, Fair Day, and Christmas events.

Mrs May said: "It's all about the heritage, and promoting the town, everybody coming together."

"To me, it's about getting our people: our residents, and friends, and visitors to Penryn, staying in the area and the town.

"Really, it's about putting our town on the map."

Among the events suggested was reviving the Penryn Regatta, formerly held in June every year, hosted by Penryn Rowing Club, which could see gigs, flash boats and other craft from nearby towns competing on the Penryn River.

Another idea, proposed by the mayor, Mark Snowdon, is a son et lumiere - or sound and light - over one or two nights, at the town hall, Tremough House, or both.

And another proposal is to revive the old custom of the mock mayor, which used to be held in the town in August, which used to involve the wittiest of the local workers being elected 'Mayor of Mylor', making ridiculous speeches outside the town hall, and then being taken in riotous procession around all the local pubs.

Members of Swamp Circus and last year's Penryn Arts Festival have suggested setting up a mystery play, the Penryn Production, celebrating all things Penryn, which would proceed through the town and finish on College Field.

Most importantly, the town councillors and the committee are calling on residents, traders, and local organisations to make their own mark on this historic event, by organising street parties and events throughout the year.

There will be a meeting for the Penryn Production on January 28 at Swamp Arts Cafe in Lower Market Street at 7.30pm. 

Anyone wishing to organise an event can contact the Penryn Week committee through the town council, on 01326 373 086.

Penryn was founded by Simon of Apulia in 1216, and given its charter in 1236, which was confirmed by Bishop Walter Bronescombe in 1259. In 2009 the town held a week of celebrations to mark the 750th anniversary of this second charter, and last year there were events to celebrate the 750th anniversary of Glasney College, a seat of Cornish learning destroyed as part of Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries.