Trevithick Day, 30th April 2022

Camborne Trevithick Day, (30th April, 2022)

This is one of a series of pages which I have uploaded to illustrate facets of steam rallies we have attended in the UK. Such events occur all over the country in the summer months, they are easily found by using your favourite search engine and may have anything between a handful of steam engines and hundreds (as at the Great Dorset Steam Fair which could probably be fairly described as having an excess of riches). Click here for the Trevithick Day index and click here for the overall 2022 index.

I have to say that street entertainment was as good as any we have experienced here, obviously all with a distinctive Cornish 'slant'. There appeared to be no programme this year and I was lucky enough to fin a stock of leaflets which listed (in an indicative manner) where and when the various attractions might be found. There is a superb set of pictures from a local photographer here - https://www.cornwalllive.com/whats-on/whats-on-news/gallery/33-pictures-trevithick-day-steams-7023174.

Click on a picture for a larger version and click on that to return to this page.

The event is an absolute godsend to small businesses in a town which needs all the help it can get. Previously it received generous EU grants which have now necessarily come to an end and their promised replacements have turned out to be yet more empty Boris Johnson promises. 56% of the local constituency voted 'Leave' in the referendum which is as good an example of turkeys voting for Christmas as I know.

The main street of the town was thronged with visitors from 09.00 onwards until the steam engine parade just after 15.00. Fortunately, Cross Street is invariably relatively free of spectators and it is well positioned for the afternoon sun. On this occasion there was no sun and the engines were stopped here for several minutes which meant that the atmosphere was distinctly 'smoky'.

The engines line up in Basset Road ready for inspection. Given time and a lot of patience I can always get a portrait shot of each one in the morning sun if the weather gods are not sulking. That may look like a Scottish pipe band but it's actually their Cornish cousins, the tartan includes a St. Piran's Cross (as in the Cornish flag seen all over the town). There are two dance processions around the town, the children's one was held while I was photographing the engines, but at 12.30 the local dignitaries led off the adults' Trevithick Dance from Basset Street which is where the Trevithick engine runs up and down all day.

The town band marched past the Richard Trevithick statue, behind is the town library which is under 'long term' restoration. They were followed by the dancers, each set of three has one gentleman and two ladies, invariably there are insufficient gentleman volunteers.

There are various 'stages' where local performers entertain the crowds. This pair (MacQuarrie and Toms) was in the town square as were what I believe were the Roustabout Collective later - they seemed to be the semi-official Trevithick Day ensemble.

Earlier at the same location, the Carnkie Cloggers whom we had seen perform at the 2017 Cornish Steam Fair, They looked as young and fresh as they did then... Further up Trelowarren Street we found the Maids of Melody. I'm glad to say they seemed to sing only Yuehong's old favourites and she insisted we listen to their entire performance.

The open space in front of Tyack's Hotel is another performance hot spot, mainly for traditional dancers. On the left are the Pensans Morris (https://www.pensansmorris.com/) and on the right Tros an Treys (https://trosantreys.co.uk/about/).

Everyone has heard of Cornish Pasties and they don't get much better or more filling than those available here. When I went back an hour later to get one for my 'tea', they were sold out. I'm glad I'm not a GP here, the local obesity figures must be absolutely appalling, body shaming is considered bad manners so I refrained from any illustrations. These lovely ladies were doing their best to spread the word but I don't think they were doing much business.

Fortunately a rival establishment still had stock and of course, Yuehong could not resist! There were a couple of 'performance artists' on the streets but I don't think they were locals...

After an enforced three year holiday, the organisers must have been delighted with the weather and the turn out. It's probably the best public steam party in the UK and the organisers, sponsors, entertainers and steam people are to be thanked and congratulated for putting on a great show yet again.