A grand parade was held in Newquay town centre on Tuesday to mark St Piran’s Day.

Hundreds of pupils from schools including Bishops, Newquay Primary Academy, Newquay Junior Academy and St Columb Major Academy took part in a procession from Beach Road to the Hotel Victoria.

They were joined by representatives from various organisations including Newquay Cornish dancing group U3A, Newquay Orchard and Newquay Old Cornwall Society.

The parade was led by piper Merv Davey and drummer Alison Davey, town crier Simon Anderson Jones and St Piran’s banners.

A children’s Ceilidh was performed at the Hotel Victoria afterwards.

Liz Carne, a former Grand Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd, said: “St Piran’s Day is so important because Cornwall is so special.

“It encourages the next generation to carry on celebrating the national day of Cornwall and realise how important it is.

“This event has grown every year thanks to the efforts of the Newquay St Piran’s Day co-ordinating group.

“Schools have really got onboard with it.”

Len Sheppard from Newquay Old Cornwall Society added: “It is important to celebrate St Piran’s Day to highlight the Cornish identity, fall in line with other Celtic nations in the UK and remember our history and heritage.”

Mr Anderson Jones said: “As a town crier I hark back to history, and it is really important to keep historical traditions going. 

“We cannot change history, but we can celebrate part of it.”

Newquay St Piran’s Festival 2024 co-ordinating group have organised various events throughout the week to mark St Piran’s Day.

A storytime session was hosted by Cornish author Bianca Richardson at Newquay Library on St Piran’s Day and a children’s choir singing sea shanties and Cornish cakes was also enjoyed.

Singing led by Oll an Gwella will be staged at the Central Inn and by Newquay Rowing Club Singers at Newquay Rowing Club both at 8pm.

A family St Piran’s craft event will be held at Newquay Library on Wednesday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

Later on in the day a Cornish inspired ‘Big Quiz’ night is being staged at the Central Inn at 6.45pm.

Cornwall’s foot stomping Celtic folk band The Stowes will be performing at the Central Inn on Thursday between 8pm and 10pm.

An under fives Cornish themed songs and rhymes event will be held at Newquay Library on Friday from 10.30am and 11.30am.

A pirate themed Lego building session will be staged at Newquay Library on Saturday from 2pm and 3pm.

Cornwall Youth Theatre Company will be performing Cornish Tales at Lane Theatre on Wednesday, March 20 at 7.30pm.

A St Piran’s Trail will be held throughout the festival week. A treasure trail map can be picked up from Newquay Library.

Events already held include everything from Cornish singing and dancing.

Liz Carne and Gareth Horner led a Cornish language taster class at the Cornish Coffee Lounge in Newquay Museum on Saturday.

A bi-lingual church service conducted in Kernewek and English led by Rev Canon Jane Kneebone was held at St Michael’s Church on Sunday.

A St Piran Eve’s concert was staged at the Great Western Hotel and Steam Bar on Monday, which included performances from Oll an Gwella, True Foxes, The Stowes and the closing shout was led by Newquay Rowing Club Singers.