Redruth councillors are calling for residents to take part in a discussion about the future of festivals in the town.

A public meeting is taking place on Thursday, January 12, from 5-6.30pm, at St Rumon’s Club to start planning events for 2023.

And the town council’s engagement team would like more ideas from the community.

The town council is responsible for organising the four town festivals held each year: St Piran’s in March; Murdoch Day, in June; Redruth International Mining & Pasty Festival, in September and the Christmas Lights and festivities which usually start in November.

Discover Redruth explained the history behind each one, starting with St Piran’s Day which will be celebrated on Saturday, March 4.

The festival began as a celebration of tin miners but is now celebrated around the Duchy as a way of recognising all the great things about Cornwall.

Legend says, St Piran was tied to a millstone and thrown into the sea in Ireland in the fifth century. He survived and was said to discover tin pouring from black rocks which is where the design of the Cornish flag derived from.

Fast forward to the 18th century and inventor, William Murdoch, who is famed for the innovation of the use of coal gas in lighting as a replacement for oil and tallow.

He lived in Redruth and his house was the first in the UK to be lit by gas lighting, in 1792. Murdoch Day is one of the biggest celebrations, embodying the town’s heritage, history, industry and community.

Scheduled for June 17, the town will be packed with events and entertainment throughout the day for families and the community to enjoy.

In September, the International Mining and Pasty Festival takes place – traditionally over three days with all kinds of events, activities, competitions and in past years, the creation of a gigantic ‘Redruth Pasty’.

Then in November, Wassailers are out in force to launch the Christmas festivities.

With a lantern parade and Mummers play as well as Cornish carols, the event is full of Cornish tradition.

Mayor of Redruth Matthew Brown said the town council regularly runs engagement events around the festivals.

He added: “We want the whole community to be involved and have their say on how they want future festivals to look, and even to encourage them to volunteer to take part in aspects that may interest them.

“It’s good to get a wider range of opinions than just those of us councillors, and I’d encourage as many people as possible to take part.

“I’d also like to give special thanks to St Rumon’s Club for generously giving us the space in the interest of community spirit.”