THE International Mining and Pasty Festival will be taking place in Redruth with three day’s of events happening from Friday, September 19 to Saturday, September 21.

The festival begins on Friday afternoon, with a storytelling walk, led by guides from Cobweb Tours dressed as a Cornish Miner and Bal Maiden. The walk departs from Redruth’s Tin Miner Statue in the town centre at 4.30pm and heads to the Wheal Uny Mines, pausing along the way for some location-specific storytelling.

Upon arrival at the mines, the stacks will be smoked with red, white, blue and green smoke, in celebration of all those around the world who have worked in mining both above and below ground.

Cllr Alison Biscoe, mayor of Redruth, said: “The smoking of the Wheal Uny mines is an emotional tribute to all those men, women and children across the world who have worked in mining.

“This year, we will be smoking the stacks with the colours of the flags in our twinned towns, Mineral Point USA, Plumergat et Meriadec France, and Real Del Monte Mexico. We also hope to welcome several international Mexican visitors to this event.

Saturday, September 20, will see the town centre filled with a wide range of activities from market stalls throughout the town, to a main stage showcasing a variety of performances, to an exhibition about Cornish Miner and Poet John Harris inside Redruth Library.

The historical Wesley Chapel will play host to a series of heritage talks from speakers Dr Sharon Schwartz, Graham O’Callaghan and Lenord Phillips MBE.

At 11.40am, the main stage will be taken over by Etherington’s, whose head baker will be running a crimping demonstration before a Crimping Competition takes place.

Mark Etherington, managing director of Etherington’s, one of the festival sponsors, said: “As a Redruth-based business, it’s a fantastic opportunity to support our local community and celebrate an iconic event that showcases the heritage of both the town and the wider county. It really does mean a lot.”

At 3pm, the Pasty Competitions will be judged in the Buttermarket by a panel including Kernow King. Categories for the Competitions include Best Traditional Cornish Pasty (Amateur), Best Traditional Cornish Pasty (Professional), and Most Creative Pasty. The winners will be announced at 4pm, with hampers from Etherington’s up for grabs for the winners.

Festival attendees will also have a chance to learn how to make their own Cornish Pasties, with Pasty Box CIC running workshops throughout the day.

Sunday, September 21, brings the festival to a poignant close, with a pilgrimage walk from the Wheal Basset Stamps to the Wheal Uny Mines, where the festival began. The walk, led by Rev Becca Bell, will depart the stamps at 10am and arrive at the Wheal Uny Mines at around 10.40am.

Following this, a short service will be held at St Euny Church to reflect on all those who have worked in mining in Cornwall and around the world. After the service, the festival will come to a fitting end with pasties served for lunch.