CORNWALL Council’s Archives and Cornish Studies Service is celebrating the news of an £11.7 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to build Kresen Kernow, Cornwall’s new archive centre, with a range of activities and events celebrating the former Redruth Brewery which will be the site of Kresen Kernow.

To tie in with the national Heritage Open Day scheme and Redruth’s International Mining and Pasty Festival, there will be free guided walking tours of the area on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September leaving from Redruth Community Centre. Find out about life at the brewery in the past, and the luminaries – such as William Murdoch – who had connections to it.

On Saturday September 12 further free events and activities will held at the community centre, including exhibitions related to brewing and pubs in the town and the premiere of an animation about the site’s history, made by Tough Dough and children from Trewirgie Junior School, with input from former brewery workers.

Complementary activities will also be available at the Cornish Studies Library, in Alma Place, on both days where documents and artefacts from the Redruth Brewery will be exhibited by the Trevithick Society.

Iain Rowe, learning officer for the service, says: “We are delighted with the news that Kresen Kernow will bring the brewery site back to life. In honour of this we’re celebrating its long history through these free activities, and we’d love for you to join us to find out more about the brewery’s fascinating history and its illustrious and international connections.”

Cornwall Council cabinet member for economy and culture Julian German said: “These events will help us appreciate the rich history of Redruth as we look forward to a new archive centre which will inspire us to celebrate Cornwall’s distinct identity and history.”

For further information, or to book a place on a guided walk, please contact cro@cornwall.gov.uk or telephone 01872 323 127.