Trevithick Day, Camborne April 29, 2023 programme of events

Trevithick Day on April 29 celebrates the life and work of Richard Trevithick, who pioneered the use of high pressure steam, revolutionised mining practices and invented the first road carriage, the forerunner of the modern motor car, which made its debut journey in Camborne in 1801.

Born in a cottage not far from Dolcoath Mine, where his father was a mine captain, and Richard pioneered new technology to use high pressure steam in order to increase the efficiency of the engines that pumped out the natural water gathering in the lower levels of the tin and copper mines.

Last year the streets were bustling (Image: Picture: Shaun Tremayne)

Despite some opposition initially, with some declaring him "mad" and "dangerous," steam engines eventually became the norm in mines thanks to his persistence.

To celebrate his achievements every year (except during the pandemic) a parade of steam engines and local dancers and schoolchildren dance through the streets as other entertainment takes place across the town.

You can even ride there in style on a vintage bus.

Cornwall Bus Preservation Society are providing some of their fantastic vintage buses from Cornwall College, Pool main entrance, Tolvaddon Road TR14 0EQ (just off the A30 Camborne/Pool junction) Open from 8:30am to 5:30pm £5 per car Buses run approximately every 20 minutes and stop on Wesley Street (near Tesco), at the top of Trelowarren Street.

The adults will dance Trevithick’s Dance while the Bal Maidens & Miners Dance will be performed by the children.

The Bal Maidens and Miners dance 2022 (Image: Jeanette Ruberry/Packet Camera Club)

Steam engines from all over the country line up in Basset Street and then parade through the town at approximately 3.30pm. Fair organs and miniatures will also be on display and stationary engines behind the library too.

Back this year after a year off, is street entertainment for all ages. Buskers, musicians, jugglers and theatre groups perform throughout the day.

As well as four stages for local bands and singing groups.

Vintage cars will be on Union Street and tractors on Chapel Street too.

There will also be lots of things indoors, schools competition entries and art exhibition at the Masonic Hall, model exhibitions at Camborne Community Centre, the Centenary Chapel flower festival, as well as this year an art exhibition at the Passmore Edwards building.

There are also choirs singing in the Wesley Chapel a choir stage on Church Street where there are even more choirs singing.

There’s a carnival atmosphere in Camborne on Trevithick Day as its main streets are closed to traffic for the day and steam engines, street stalls, bands and entertainers take over the town.

Rosewarne car park is transformed into a funfair and many of Camborne’s buildings are home to displays or offer refreshments.

CORNISH MUSIC AND CULTURE - all activities subject to change on the day

9.3Oam Kernow Pipe & Drums lead the procession from top of Trelowarren Street to the Main Stage

10.00am Camborne Mayor at main stage

10.15am Camborne Town Band lead Bal Maidens and Miners Dance (Children) from Trevithick's statue top of Basset Street

11.00am Kernow Pipe & Drums play in Basset Street

2.30pm Camborne Town Band lead Trevithick's Dance (Adults) from Trevithick's statue top of Basset Street

3.30pm (approx) Steam Parade leaves Basset Road

Main Stage Town Square, Trelowarren Street

10am Bryher's Boys

11am Carnkie Cloggers

12noon Whippletree Band

1pm Redruth Amateur Operatic Society

2pm Will Keating and John Dowling

3pm St Dennis Ukulele Band

4pm Carn Brea Morris Dancers

Nos Lowen Stage, Trelowarren Street

11am Bagas Crowd (acoustic)

12.15pm Keskorra (on stage)

1.15pm Hornets (acoustic)

2pm Caracana (on stage)

12noon until 3pm Try Cornish Dancing! With dance leaders to guide your steps

Top Hat Stage, Trelowarren Street

11am St Aubyn Singers

12noon Singing Seagulls

1pm Maids of Melody

2pm Singing Seagulls

3pm Red River Singers

4pm Samba

Cambada Town Clock, Commercial Street

11am Pensans Morris Dancers

12noon TR14ers

1pm Bash Street

2pm Raffidy Dumitz

3pm Tros an Treys Choir Stage, Church Street

10.45am Local Volcalz

11.45am Weeth School

12.30pm Kerrier Male Voice Choir

1.30pm Carn Brea Ukuleles 2.30pm Maids of Melody

3.30pm Centenary Drama Group

4pm Red River Singers

All day events

Basset Road Steam Engines

Basset Road Stationary Engines

Union Street and Chapel Street Vintage Vehicles

Camborne Parish Church, Church Street

Family activities and messy church

Cornish Wrestling History Demonstration and Participation

Refreshments

Masonic Hall, Cross Street

School's art competition and exhibition

Centenary Chapel, Centenary Street

Flower arrangements exhibition Art and Craft sale, upper hall

Passmore Edwards Building, top of Cross Street

Cornwall College, Pool and Duchy College Student art show and family workshops "Rubbish Robots and Scrap Steam Engines"

Camborne Community Centre

Models Exhibition, annex buildings

Rosewarne Car Park

All the fun of the fair!

Wesley Chapel - inside

9.30am until 1.30pm Refreshments

11.15am Camborne Ladies Choir (+ Dulce)

12.30pm Holman Climax Male Voice Choir

Wesley Chapel - outside

11am until 3.30pm Poets Corner: Storytelling and Poetry

First Aid post

Town Square, Trelowarren Street