Newquay will be celebrating St. Piran’s Day with a fun packed schedule of activities from Friday 1st right through until St Piran’s Day itself on Tuesday 5th March.
Organiser Rob Spowart says of the weekend’s events “ We are delighted that the community of Newquay is coming together to celebrate the Cornish Culture and Heritage of our very special part of the North Cornish coastline. With grateful thanks to Newquay Town Council and Newquay BID we are able to offer a range of free events over a busy weekend, which offer something for everyone. Bring along a St Piran’s Flag or wear your Cornish Tartan with pride – come along and involve yourself in the events that are happening on Saturday or Sunday – we look forward to seeing you here!” “Remember – you don’t have to be born in Cornwall to be proud to feel ‘Cornish’ and support St Piran’s Day celebrations”!
And for those who don’t know what St Piran’s Day is…
St Piran’s Day (Cornish: Gool Peran) is the national day of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom held on 5th March every year. The day is named after one of the patron saints of Cornwall, Saint Piran, who is also the patron saint of tin miners.
~ Leading up to St Piran’s Day ~
Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd March
• Exhibition ‘Old Cubert’ at Cubert Methodist Church with exhibits by local history enthusiasts and Newquay Old Cornwall Society.
Saturday 2nd March
• 2.00pm ‘Illustrated Talk – Old Cubert’ by NOCS at Cubert Methodist Church
• 4.00pm ‘Old Newquay in Photos’ by NOCS at The Cribbar
• 7.30pm ‘Shout for St Piran’ at Cribbar Inn with “Oll an Gwella”, “Newquay Rowing Club Singers”, “Alan Thain”, “Fiddle me Timbers” and “Stamp and Go”.
Sunday 3rd March
• 11.00am ‘St Piran’s Churches Together’ Service at St Columb Minor Parish Church, with “Newquay Rowing Club Singers” and with Cornish Language (Kernewek + translations) in the service.
• 2.30pm ‘Newquay As ‘Twas’ at Trenance Heritage Cottages – Chris Blount plays Newquay memories from his recorded archive.
Monday 4th March
• 7.00pm ‘St Piran’s Eve Concert’ at St Michaels Church, featuring top International Celtic Duos “Davey & Dyer” and “MacQuarrie & Toms” with “Oll an Gwella”
Tuesday 5th March
• 4.00pm ‘St Piran’s Day Parade’ (from Victoria Hotel to Cribbar in Gover Lane). Led by Cornish Piper Merv Davey, with the Gorsedd’s Grand Bard (Elizabeth Carne), and Newquay Old Cornwall Society, supported by Schools, Councillors, ‘Cornwall Pride’ organisers and other community, music & dance groups. All welcome!
• 4.30-5.30pm ‘Troyll Yowynk An Kriber’ at Cribbar, a Cornish Ceilidh for Schools with performances of songs and dancing from local schools.
• 7.00pm ’Troyll Klub Revya’ at Newquay Rowing Club with contributions comprising Cornish Singing, Cornish Dancing and Cornish History
Saturday 9th March
• 11.00am-1.00pm ‘St Piran’s Food Day’ at the Griffin Hotel – Celebration of local Cornish Produce with Cooking Demonstrations and Pasty Making Competition (and auction), Cornish Singing + input from local WI groups and Schools.
In addition to the above, both Newquay Library and Newquay Heritage Museum will be offering exhibitions and displays throughout the Festival.
The Newquay St Piran’s Festival Co-ordinating Group are delighted to confirm that with support from Newquay BID, Newquay TC, Newquay Lions and the 11th January ‘Shout’, all the events offered are “FREE ENTRY but RETIRING COLLECTION” with all money raised during the Festival being used to support local Cornish Charities.
Newquay – in the heart of Cornwall, celebrating all things Cornish with one and all.