Dead figures from Penryn's past and the town's latest mock mayor joined the real mayor and other guests at a gala dinner last week.

The meal, the latest in a string of celebrations for the town's 800th year, was held at the Greenbank Hotel, with over 70 people turning up to enjoy an evening of merrymaking.

Guests included members of the the Rotary and Lions Clubs, members of Penryn Athletic, the head and deputy head of Penryn College Marie Hunter and John Harvey, and Saracen Award winners, as well as the mayors of Penryn and Falmouth: Mark Snowdon and his wife Di, and Grenville Chapel and his wife June. not to forget mock mayor John Kirby.

There was also a large contingent of Penryn town councillors, Shelley Peters, Kevin Green, Gill Grant, Chris Smith, Mary May, and Dave Garwood, as well as Cornwall Councillor Tony Martin.

Mrs May, one of the organisers, said: "After dinner the microphone was passed to each person to say a few words about the town, some interesting comments were received about people's love of the town and why they live and work there.

"A film show ran throughout the evening showing events that had took place over the year."

Most of the revellers were safely on their way back to the borough by midnight, departing in horse drawn carriages.

The town still has a number of events before the Penryn 800 calendar is finished, with the Dead Rynner’s Banquet on November 26 with Proper Job, the Christmas Lights Switch On happening on December 3 and the Mayor’s Christmas Concert on December 4, and a Stormy Nights Christmassy afternoon on December 10.

Information for all these events can be gained from the town council offices on Higher Market Street.