Richard Trevithick (1771-1833)
Richard Trevithick pioneered the use of high-pressure steam for use in the mines and in 1801 he built a full-size, steam, road locomotive on a site near present-day Fore Street in Camborne. He named it “Puffing Devil” and on Christmas Eve it began its first epic journey by ascending Fore Street (Camborne Hill). It was the world’s first demonstration of a steam-powered road vehicle and inspired the song:
Going up Camborne Hill, coming down
Going up Camborne Hill, coming down
The horses stood still;
The wheels went around;
Going up Camborne Hill coming down.
Trevithick also built the world’s first working railway steam locomotive and, on the 21st February 1804, it hauled a train along 9.75 miles of track at the Penydarren Ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil.
He is rightly referred to as the “Father of the Railway”
The first Trevithick Day was held in 1984 and since then it has been an annual fixture attracting thousands of visitors. It celebrates the huge contribution made by Richard Trevithick (Cap’n Dick) to Cornwall’s industrial heritage. (In 2020 the event had to be cancelled due to the Covid pandemic but its re-emergence in 2021 is eagerly anticipated.)
The day is full of music, street entertainment, displays, stannins (commercial stands) and, of course, lots of steam: from the engines and wagons on show.
The Morning Procession
Led by a miniature steam engine and Camborne’s Brass Bands, the morning procession begins with schoolchildren dancing through the streets. They are dressed in the traditional costumes of miners and bal-maidens and dancing to the tune of “Camborne Worthies”.
“Camborne Worthies” included here by kind permission of the composer, Geoffrey Self, and Camborne Town Band
The mid-day concerts
The mid-day concerts in Commercial Square always draw a considerable crowd but they are not the only musical contributions as singers and instrumentalists can be found on many street corners performing the much-loved songs of Cornwall.
Camborne Town Band taking part in the mid-day concerts
Holman-Climax Male Voice Choir taking part in the mid-day concerts
The Afternoon Procession
The afternoon processional dance is another colourful affair with the adult dancers led by the Camborne Bands. The dancers are dressed in Cornish colours and anyone who lives or works in Camborne is welcome to take part.
“Camborne Worthies” included here by kind permission of the composer, Geoffrey Self, and Camborne Town Band
Catch the atmosphere of the event on this 2019 youtube performance
You will find many such youtube videos of this great slice of Cornish heritage
For many years the day included the magnificent sight of the Steam Parade but it has now been discontinued due to deference to health and safety requirements. It is now a static display where the steam vehicles, fair organs, stationary engines and vintage vehicles can be found throughout the streets.
Geoffrey Self also wrote “The Trevithick Day March” and we conclude with it being played by Camborne Town Band during a rehearsal. The piece was not published and there is considerable doubt that it was ever performed in public which is a great pity as the lively, quick march exemplifies the fun to be had at Trevithick Day
“The Trevithick Day March”
Photograpghs 2005, 2008 & 2012 Copyright Tony Mansell
What have I been missing ???? Looks a great day out to see a modern day Cornish tradition; Lovely maidens, cracking brass band and aansom steam engines, not forgetting hard working organisers. Must go in 2021.
It’s quite a day, John. My task is to shake the tin for the morning parade and the midday concerts. Apart from that I just wander around, drinking in the atmosphere and listening to the various singing groups on the street corners.
What a shame the steam engines will be stationary. A major attraction was spectators walking in front of massive engines with half mile braking distances and even larger turning circles!
Your right, Stephen, but it’s still a great spectacle.