26/04/2025
Today Cambourne celebrates Trevithick Day. Richard Trevithick known as the father of the locomotive and is one of Cornwall’s most industrious sons.
Today the streets will be bustling , steam engines on display, traditional dances, food and celebrations galore!
His genius brought the world the first practical road-going vehicle propelled by high-pressure steam – the ‘Puffin’ or ‘Puffing Devil’ - in 1801, and his legacy remains with us today.
High-pressure steam was the technological leap forward that enabled the steam railway locomotive, steam ships, and, much later in the nineteenth century, the steam turbine, which remains an essential part of nuclear and coal/gas fired power stations.
He was born at Illogan in Cornwall, son of Richard (1735-1797), a mine manager, and Anne (Teague). He was 6 feet 2 inches in height and known as a powerful wrestler! In 1797 he married Jane (1772-1868), daughter of John Harvey, and had six children: Richard, John, Francis, Frederick, Anne and Elizabeth.
We had one of his great great grandchildren work with us many years ago in our Pub in Hampshire, small world eh!
If you are holidaying down in Cornwall today why not visit and join in a local tradition .
