About Us

The Community Assembly of Redruth derives its name from an older Cornish name, Rhyd-ruth. It means Red Ford (literally fordred). The first syllable 'red' means ford. The second 'ruth' means red. The first settlers stayed by a crossing in the river and started extracting metal ores, and this process turned the colour of the river red. By the end of the 19th century, the Cornish mining industry was in decline and Britain was importing most of its copper ore. To find employment, many miners emigrated to the newer mining industries in the Americas, Pachuca, Mexico, Australasia and South Africa. Cornwall's last fully operational mine, South Crofty at Pool between Redruth and Camborne, closed in March 1998. Redruth is also home to Carn Brea, which has most historical interest. The Carn, however, is not the highest point in Redruth; it is beaten slightly by Carnmenellis, south west of the town centre.