Hundreds Celebrate Sir Humphry Davy’s Birthday at Lantern Parade in Penzance

Lanterns light up Penzance to honour the town’s most famous inventor

On Friday 13th December, Penzance came alive with light and music as hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the annual Humphry Davy Lantern Parade. The event, organised by Penzance BID and supported by Penzance Council, commemorates the life of Sir Humphry Davy, one of the town’s most celebrated figures, with a parade held each year on the Friday closest to his birthday.

Celebrating Sir Humphry Davy’s Legacy

Born in Penzance on 17th December 1778, Humphry Davy began his career as an apprentice to an apothecary-surgeon before moving to Bristol to study science. His pioneering work led to the invention of the Davy safety lamp, a device that prevented explosions in mines by not igniting flammable gases, saving countless lives. Beyond this, Davy’s scientific achievements included isolating elements like potassium, sodium, and magnesium, and investigating the effects of nitrous oxide.

The parade also serves as a tribute to Davy’s ingenuity. This year’s procession featured lanterns inspired by his life and work, crafted by pupils from Alverton School, Gulval School, Mousehole School, Nancealverne School, Madron Daniel C of E School, St Mary’s C of E School, St Mary’s Catholic School, and Humphry Davy School.

Singing Happy Birthday at the Statue

The parade began at St John’s Hall and wound through the streets of Penzance before culminating at the Humphry Davy statue. There, the crowd sang Happy Birthday in unison to honour the inventor.

Cornish Bard and Humphry Davy expert Paul Tyreman addressed the gathering, reflecting on the factors that led to Davy’s remarkable success:

“Earlier in Humphry’s life he experienced the kind of luck that we can learn to notice in advance and do something about. He met two people, one a famous scientist of the time, the other the son of a famous inventor, who both knew Doctor Beddoes of the Pneumatic Institute in Bristol, and this provided the chance for young Davy to make a much greater name for himself than he could as the apprentice to an apothecary in Penzance.

“The very young Humphry was interested in nearly everything. He would learn from people who knew more, and find out even more by becoming a pioneer of the way we do science now, and doing experiments to test his ideas.

“There’s no doubt that this curiosity about the whole world around him was a major factor in Davy’s success. I recommend it to all the young people here, and know from experience that it will make you more likely to achieve what you want, but maybe more importantly to be able to enjoy what you do in life even if the luck doesn’t come your way and you don’t achieve the exact dream you have now. Be curious, be lucky and be smart enough to spot when good luck comes your way.”

Music, Dancing, and a Growing Event

Led by the Raffidy Dumitz Band, the parade made its way through the town’s streets, culminating with dancing by Pensans Morris on Chapel Street.

Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Penzance, praised the event’s growth and the inspiration it provides to local children:

“It’s wonderful to see this event bigger and brighter than ever, with so many more schools involved this year. Penzance’s most famous son, Sir Humphry Davy, continues to be an inspiration for these young people, who may one day have their own statues surrounded by proud residents singing Happy Birthday in their honour.”

A Growing Tradition

Since its inception in 2021, the Humphry Davy Lantern Parade has become a key date in Penzance’s calendar, continuing to grow in popularity each year. Combining creativity, community, and celebration of local history, the event highlights the enduring legacy of one of Cornwall’s brightest minds.

Photo Credit For all Photos to Penzance Council