University of Exeter part of Penryn Town Fair celebrations

The Festival of Discovery drew on expertise at the University’s Penryn Campus, and included panning for gold, making books, dissecting owl pellets, bug and animal bone handling, taking core samples through a multi layered cake and historic photographs of Penryn exhibited by our Institute of Cornish Studies.

The interactive event made up part of the celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of Penryn becoming a borough. A group of academics also attended the arrival of Bishop Simon de Apulia and the Prayerbook Rebellion Service. They then joined in the parade through the main street.

Professor Dave Hosken, Dean of Strategic Development for the University’s Cornwall campuses, said: “We were delighted to be involved in the celebrations which were both historically significant and a fun, family day out. The town and our Festival of Discovery were really busy through the day and there was a great atmosphere.

“Penryn is the historical home of Cornish learning and this is something which the University of Exeter is very proud to be part of, particularly because a core element of the University’s original charter is to provide higher education opportunities for the children of Devon and Cornwall.”

Penryn Mayor, Councillor Mark Snowdon, who led the parade with the Bishop, said: “I was delighted that the university took part in Penryn Fair Day in this historic 800th year for our town. Their colourful robes made a fantastic addition to what was a superb parade. The Festival of Discovery was outstanding and a wonderful exhibit for everyone young or old who popped in to take a look around. My thanks go to all the staff members and volunteers from Exeter University for making this year’s Fair Day a huge success. I hope to see them again next year.”