Redruth Town Council, Redruth Library & Information Service, The Ladder, The Writers’ Block and Shallal are coming come together to celebrate the bicentenary of locally-born philanthropist John Passmore Edwards on March 24, 2023. 

Passmore Pass It On will be a series of events on the day that will mark Passmore Edwards’ achievements, celebrate the rebirth of his building in Clinton Road into The Ladder and remember his legacy of culture and learning for all at the Redruth Library & Information Service in its new home in Alma Place. 

The day will being at 10am at The Writers’ Block at The Ladder with an informal Big Book Chat where visitors can bring their favourite book and chat about it with others over coffee, tea and cream tea. There’ll also be the chance to meet two giant puppets of Mr and Mrs Passmore Edwards created by Shallal.

At 11am readers, supporters, schools and Redruth Library & Information Service & Town Council teams will join together to form a human chain to pass books from The Ladder along Bond Street to the Library in Alma Place. Once everyone has gathered there, there will be special storytelling for young and old; some celebrating the legacy of Passmore Edwards. 

Claire Waterhouse, Redruth Library & Information Service team leader, said: “It was a special day for Redruth when Passmore Edwards’ library opened in Redruth in 1895 and we are proud to continue his legacy to this day. We are also so glad that his original building is getting a new lease of life as The Ladder and we can’t wait to see what the future holds there.”

Amanda Harris from The Writers’ Block said: “As an organisation so interested in the written word, it is perfect that we have found a home at The Ladder and can celebrate Passmore Edwards’ 200th birthday with events and the book chain right at the heart of Redruth. The buildings may change but the legacy lives on.”

There’s no need to book for the events on Friday, March 24 and there’s no charge. 

•  For more information, head to Facebook: @DiscoverRedruth or @RedruthLIS or @thewritersblockcornwall