Kernow King to Judge Pasty Competitions at Redruth’s International Mining and Pasty Festival

The International Mining and Pasty Festival will be taking place in Redruth with three days' worth of events happening from Friday 19th to Saturday 21st September.

The festival begins on Friday afternoon, with a storytelling walk, led by guides from Cobweb Tours dressed as a Cornish Miner and Bal Maiden. The walk departs from Redruth’s Tin Miner Statue in the town centre at 4:30pm and heads to the Wheal Uny Mines, pausing along the way for some location-specific storytelling.

Upon arrival at the mines, the stacks will be smoked with red, white, blue and green smoke, in celebration of all those around the world who have worked in mining both above and below ground.

‘The smoking of the Wheal Uny mines is an emotional tribute to all those men, women and children across the world who have worked in mining. This year, we will be smoking the stacks with the colours of the flags in our twinned towns, Mineral Point USA, Plumergat et Meriadec France, and Real Del Monte Mexico. We also hope to welcome several international Mexican visitors to this event.’ Cllr Alison Biscoe, Mayor of Redruth.

Saturday, 20th September, will see the town centre filled with a wide range of activities from market stalls throughout the town, to a main stage showcasing a variety of performances, to an exhibition about Cornish Miner and Poet John Harris inside Redruth Library. The historical Wesley Chapel will play host to a series of heritage talks from speakers Dr Sharon Schwartz, Graham O’Callaghan and Lenord Phillips MBE.

At 11:40 am, the main stage will be taken over by Etherington’s, whose head baker will be running a crimping demonstration before a Crimping Competition takes place.

Mark Etherington, Managing Director of Etherington’s, one of the festival sponsors, said: ‘As a Redruth-based business with over 70 years in the trade, we’re proud to sponsor the Cornwall Mining and Pasty Festival. It’s a fantastic opportunity to support our local community and celebrate an iconic event that showcases the heritage of both the town and the wider county. It really does mean a lot.’

At 3 pm, the Pasty Competitions will be judged in the Buttermarket by a panel including Kernow King. Categories for the Competitions include Best Traditional Cornish Pasty (Amateur), Best Traditional Cornish Pasty (Professional), and Most Creative Pasty. The winners will be announced at 4 pm, with hampers from Etherington’s up for grabs for the winners.

Festival attendees will also have a chance to learn how to make their own Cornish Pasties, with Pasty Box CIC running workshops throughout the day.

‘We are delighted to be working with a whole host of organisations associated with the Cornish Pasty, including the Cornish Pasty Association, who work hard to protect the Cornish Pasty by achieving Protected Geographical Indication status. This year, we are delighted to also be working with Pasty Box CIC, who work in schools throughout Cornwall to fight food poverty through education.’ Cllr Alison Biscoe, Mayor of Redruth.

Sunday 21st September brings the festival to a poignant close, with a pilgrimage walk from the Wheal Basset Stamps to the Wheal Uny Mines, where the festival began. The walk, led by Rev Becca Bell, will depart the stamps at 10 am and arrive at the Wheal Uny Mines at around 10:40 am.

Following this, a short service will be held at St Euny Church to reflect on all those who have worked in mining in Cornwall and around the world. After the service, the festival will come to a fitting end with pasties served for lunch.

For more information about Redruth’s International Mining and Pasty Festival, please visit www.discoverredruth.co.uk.