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Steaming ahead for Cornish pioneer

Discussion in 'On Track.' started by stepney60, Apr 30, 2006.

  1. stepney60

    stepney60 Nat Pres stalwart

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    The people of a Cornish town will take to the streets on Saturday to mark the life of a famous Cornish engineer.
    Trevithick Day celebrates the life and works of Richard Trevithick, the pioneer of high pressure steam-power. The highlight of the annual celebration of the heritage and mining history of the Camborne area will be a parade of steam vehicles.

    Trevithick was born in 1771, within sight of the town's Dolcoath mine where his father was a captain.

    Known as a pioneer of the industrial revolution, the engineer invented a high pressure steam carriage known locally as the Puffing Devil, the world's first passenger-carrying road locomotive.

    The test run took place on Camborne Hill on Christmas Eve 1801 and the event is still remembered in a well-known Cornish folk song.

    To allow street entertainment and market stalls the roads in the town centre are closed to traffic from 0800 BST until 1800 BST on Saturday. The steam parade is one of the main events but there are also model exhibitions and vintage vehicles on show .

    Local school children dress up and dance through the streets led by Camborne Town Band. There will also be concerts by the local male voice choirs.

    SOURCE: BBC
     
    stepney60, Apr 30, 2006
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