Redruth – At the Heart of Cornish Heritage
Local MP leads calls for Cornwall’s new archive centre to be built in Redruth
George Eustice, MP for Camborne and Redruth, has joined with Cornwall Councillors, heritage experts, and even comedian and writer Rory McGrath to call for the new Cornish Archive to be located in Redruth.
Cornwall Council are looking to build a state of the art facility to house the County’s treasure trove of historic manuscripts, books, photographs, maps and recordings. The ‘call for sites’ has already commenced, and Redruth have identified several possible locations within the town that could accommodate such a building.
George Eustice said, “Redruth is at the heart of Cornish history and is the obvious place to locate a Cornish archive. It would celebrate Cornwall’s remarkable history and use the history of Redruth to help create a vibrant future for the town.”
There is a growing interest in the history and heritage of the County, in particular amongst the 7 million strong global diaspora, many of whom are keen to trace their roots. A recent study by the Cornish Global Migration project estimates that as much as 23% of the diaspora have specific links to the Redruth area. Mike Kiernan, who is leading the project, said, "All corners of Cornwall were so affected by the migration experience that it has become an almost mystic part of the Cornish character. Redruth can be described as the epicentre, in fact "The Spiritual Home of Cornish Migration". Our relationship with the Cornish Studies Library is invaluable - if the Records Office were also in our town Redruth would truly be a centre of excellence."
Mike Eddowes, Cornwall Councillor for Redruth Central, said, “After the 1860s thousands of Redruth people left their homes for better prospects. It can be no surprise that the relatives of those families are keen to trace their roots; How sensible then to place the Records Office in Redruth alongside the Cornish Studies Library, providing a tremendous boost to the town.”
TV personality and former pupil of Redruth School, Rory McGrath, said, “Growing up in Redruth we were always reminded of the town's rich mining heritage and the people who had left the town to develop mining around the world. It would be good to see this heritage recorded through a new Cornish archive based in the town.”
Cornwall Councillor and graduate of the Camborne School of Mines, Peter Sheppard, commented, “Redruth is becoming more focused on its own heritage and its historic importance to mining both locally and overseas. With its excellent transport links, and potential sites close to the town centre, to have this in Redruth would be most appropriate.“
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