Newquay prepares to celebrate St Piran's Day

The Newquay St Piran’s Festival, celebrating Cornwall’s national day, is underway.

A packed programme of events is taking place to mark St Piran, the patron saint of tinners. Organisers say this year there has been a particular focus on involving local school children, with young people set to play a central role in the parade and celebrations. From live music and quizzes to exhibitions and storytelling, activities have been planned across several venues in the town.

Most events are free to attend, although people are being encouraged to make a donation on leaving in what organisers describe as a “Tamar Bridge” approach.

Main St Piran’s Day events will take place on Thursday 5 March, including a parade from Beachfield Gardens to St Michael’s Church.

There will also be a children’s ceilidh and the traditional Trelawney Shout later in the evening, as Newquay joins communities across Cornwall in marking the day.

On Wednesday, the St Piran’s Eve Gig will be held at the Steam Bar at the Great Western Hotel, featuring music from Newquay Male Voice Choir, The Harbour Rats and Newquay Rowing Club singers, who will lead the shout.

The festival is supported by a range of organisations and individuals, including Newquay Lions Club, FEAST, Newquay BID, the Great Western Hotel, Newquay Town Council and Cornwall councillors Joanna Kenny, Richard Barker and Heinz Glanville.

We caught up with the festival planning group’s chair David Hall and secretary Jim Christophers. Press play to hear more...

Programme highlights:

• Monday 1 March – Newquay Museum, Stories from the Station exhibition of film and images of “Old Newquay” (running until the end of March)

• Tuesday 3 March – Central Inn, evening bar tab bingo

• Wednesday 4 March – 14:00, Kilbirnie Hotel, Newquay Male Voice Choir bingo (paid event)

• Wednesday 4 March – Central Inn, evening, The Big Cornish Quiz

• Wednesday 4 March – 19:15, Great Western Hotel Steam Bar, St Piran’s Eve Gig featuring The Harbour Rats with Newquay Male Voice Choir and Newquay Rowing Club Singers

• Thursday 5 March – Parade through central Newquay. Gather 15:30 at Beachfield Gardens, start 16:00, followed by a 16:30 schools’ ceilidh at St Michael’s Church

• Thursday 5 March – Central Inn Cornish entertainment: 18:45 Megan Forrest; 19:45 Open the Box charity game (£50 voucher prize); 20:00 Oll an Gwella, ending with the Trelawney Shout at 21:00

• Thursday 5 March – Newquay Rowing Club, 21:00, Trelawney Shout, all welcome

• Saturday 7 March – Newquay Library, 11:00–13:00, children’s storytelling

More information is available at NewquayStPiransFestival.com.