The sun shone on Falmouth as hundreds of school children descended on The Moor this morning to take part in the annual St Piran’s Day Parade.

Falmouth Packet: Cllrs Jude Robinson and Jayne Kirkham with a member of the Falmouth and Penryn Old Cornwall SocietyCllrs Jude Robinson and Jayne Kirkham with a member of the Falmouth and Penryn Old Cornwall Society (Image: Paul Armstrong)

Led by members of Swamp Circus, including some on stilts, and members of Falmouth Marine band, the parade set off from The Moor at 10am heading past Prince of Wales Pier through the centre of the town for a service at the parish church King Charles the Martyr.

Falmouth Packet: Proudly displaying their Cornwall tabardsProudly displaying their Cornwall tabards (Image: Paul Armstrong)

Children from primary schools all over Falmouth took part as well as children from pre-schools and day care.

Falmouth Packet: These two cuties got right into the spirit of CornwallThese two cuties got right into the spirit of Cornwall (Image: Paul Armstrong)

There were plenty of rousing renditions of Trelawny from the children as the parade snaked its way along Webber Street, Market Strand, Market Street and Church Street before finishing at King Charles Church, where there were refreshments and plenty of entertainment to enjoy.

Falmouth Packet: U3A Cornish dancers took part in the paradeU3A Cornish dancers took part in the parade (Image: Paul Armstrong)

For 14 years a very small committee wanting to give the children of the Falmouth area a taste of their culture and heritage through dance, song and music has organised the event.

But last year organisers said the future of the event could be under threat after the founder Vicki Ferguson announced her retirement.

Falmouth Packet: Swamp Circus put on a great show!Swamp Circus put on a great show! (Image: Paul Armstrong)

 

Falmouth Packet: Children from True Teylu Childcare based in Stithians took part in the paradeChildren from True Teylu Childcare based in Stithians took part in the parade (Image: Paul Armstrong)

Penryn’s St Piran parade actually took place on Sunday, March 3 2024 at 2.45pm.

Falmouth Packet: These children took the singing of Trelawny very seriously, as they should!These children took the singing of Trelawny very seriously, as they should! (Image: Paul Armstrong)

The annual parade headed off from the Memorial Gardens in Quay Hill and reached the Town Hall where there was a traditional ‘Trelawny Shout’.

Falmouth Packet: Levi waves the flag for CornwallLevi waves the flag for Cornwall (Image: Paul Armstrong)

Following that there was entertainment and Cornish tea at Penryn Temperance Hall in Lower Market Street.

Falmouth Packet: Even the youngsters got involvedEven the youngsters got involved (Image: Paul Armstrong)

St Piran’s Day, which is held every year in Cornwall on March 5, is the national day of Cornwall, a tradition inspired by the legend of St Piran.

St Piran was the patron saint of tin and the holiday began as a celebration observed only by tin miners.