The granite plinth and bronze tablet affixed to it are just outside the former Barclays Bank building, Penryn Street, Redruth where it had been placed by Redruth Town Council
“Three hundreds years ago this place was open country. Then, in the 1700s, Redruth became the heart of one of Europe’s first industrial regions. The industrial revolution was born here Gas Lighting was invented in this town. The steam engine developed in the nearby mines. Redruth boomed as mining families flocked to its markets. As mining faltered many families sought a new life in the New World. But Redruth remains the focus of Cornish identity. It is now the home of Cornish rugby, the centre for Cornish history and the of renewed links with its brothers and sisters overseas.
Redruth takes its name from the river that used to run down Penryn street, along the river banks there was extensive tin streaming works, this caused the river to run red with minerals. Where Fore street crosses Penryn street there was a ford crossing. Today the river runs underground.
(Cornish name whyd = ford, ruth = red)”
