Trevithick Day, on Saturday April 27, is a highlight of the year when Camborne residents dance through the streets and visitors flock to take part in the annual celebration of Richard Trevithick’s engineering genius.

Local businesses also join in – with many shops promoting event special offers and competing to create show-stopping window displays in honour of the town’s heritage.

Several new shops have opened since Christmas but the latest, Lushhstuff Community Craft Shop, will be launching its fascinating array of handmade local crafts on Trevithick Day itself.

The brainchild of Rebecca Hazlehurst, Lushhstuff has taken over the premises occupied for thirty years by Xanadu, which has now moved to the other side of the road. It is a community concept Rebecca successfully developed in Cambridge. Now, having moved to Cornwall, she’s very excited about establishing the same working model in Camborne.

“Local crafters can join the community for £3.50 per week,” she explains. “That entitles them to a free shelf in the shop from which they sell their crafts. I take a 20 per cent commission on every sale they make but they can earn back 5 per cent on any sale made in the shop that resulted from their recommendation. There are 50 shelves up for grabs so, if everyone spreads the word, we’ll have a very busy shop and we’ll be making lots of money.

“In my previous shop in Cambridge, many of the crafters earned enough to trade entirely for free – it really is a case of getting out what you put in for everyone concerned.”

Rebecca is also full of praise for Camborne’s high street. “It’s vibrant and friendly and the end of town where we are, next to Cornwall Air Ambulance, has become a classy little hub, with a good variety of excellent businesses. I’m confident that Lushhstuff will do very well as the goods on sale will be diverse enough to suit all tastes and pockets.”

BID Camborne Manager Anna Pascoe, who lives in the town, said business owners were making a huge effort for the Trevithick Day celebrations and were looking forward to welcoming lots of customers.

“The window displays are amazing – we’re running a competition to judge the best ones but it will be incredibly tough to decide between them.

“There’s a real sense of pride here that I don’t believe exists to the same degree in any other Cornish town. We’re a place that’s lived and worked in all year round and, in practical terms, that means we support each other rather than competing for seasonal tourist trade. We’re ‘Cambassadors’ and Trevithick Day is a perfect opportunity to show how proud we are to be at the heart of Cornwall’s historical past and, we believe, at the forefront of its future.”

Among the special offers available on Trevithick Day are Cornish-themed clocks, magnets, cups and stickers at Cards for all Occasions, belt buckles in various designs – including a steam engine and the Cornish flag – from MRH Saddler, a new and deliciously tasty treat from Delight 2 Bite and Richard Trevithick enamel mugs from Synergy.