THE community marched loud and proud in Newquay to celebrate its Cornishness on St Piran’s Day.

A grand parade led by a Cornish piper, a drummer and flag bearers was held from Beachfield Gardens through the town centre to St Michael’s Church.

Hundreds of schoolchildren took part in the procession, which included Newquay Junior Academy, St Columb Minor Academy, Bishops Learning Academy, Newquay Primary Academy.

Representatives from various organisations also took part including RAF St Mawgan, Newquay Orchard, Newquay Old Cornwall Society, Beaches and Cream WI, Newquay Town Council, Cornwall Council, Visit Newquay, Oll an Gwella and Friends of Newquay Hospital.

Local schoolchildren led a session of Cornish music, song, and dance at St Michael’s Church following the parade.

Mayor Cllr Drew Creek said: “As always it is lovely to have such a good turnout in Newquay for St Piran’s Day.

“It is great to have so many people young and old out celebrating the Cornish nationality.”

Various events have already been held to mark St Piran’s Day, which has included a bilingual Kernewek and English service at St Michael’s Church and a Cornish language takeover at Newquay Library.

There will be Cornish entertainment organised at the Central Inn throughout St Piran’s Day. Megan Forrest will perform at 6.45pm, open the box charity game will be held at 7.45pm and Oll an Gwella will take to the stage at 8pm, which will end with the Trelawny Shout at 9pm.

A Trelawny Shout will also be staged at Newquay Rowing Club on St Piran’s Day at 9pm.

St Piran’s Children’s storytelling is being organised at Newquay Library on Saturday, March 7 between 11am and 1pm.

Newquay Museum is presenting Stories from the Station throughout March, which will be a commemorative exhibition marking the 150th anniversary of the first passenger train to Newquay in 1876.

The exhibition will include images from the Newquay Museum Group as well as personal collections from local Cornish historian Stan May and John Vaughan, the renowned author of numerous railway publications including branch lines of Newquay.

Newquay Museum Group will also showcase Newquay People by Bernard White. The renowned newspaper photographer’s collection has been donated to the museum by his family.