Successful premiere of the film The Great Trek of the Transport Party Mexico

 

 

Redruth Turns out in Force for Historical Documentary

On Thursday 29^th of May, well over 100 people attended the premiere of the historical documentary, The Great Trek of the Transport Party 1825-6, at Kresen Kernow, Redruth. The Great Trek of the Transport Party film tells the story of the transport gang who 200 years ago, transported 1,500 tons of machinery (including eight steam engines) across the Atlantic from Falmouth in four wooden sailing ships, then hauled it inland 266 miles to the silver mines of Real de Monte in the Sierra Madre Oriental, some 8,000 feet above sea level.

The men, drawn from across the British Isles, struggled against political intransigence, petty bureaucracy, the climate, disease, financial constraints and the terrain. The story is a truly epic one of tragedy and ultimately triumph.

Next year we will celebrate the bicentennial of the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the Mineral of Real del Monte-Pachuca, when one of the eight steam engines was started. This game-changing event was entirely due to the sacrifice, grit and determination of the men of the Transport Party.

 

© Dr Sharron P. Schwartz

 

I was proud to present my newest historical documentary to an enthralled audience at Kresen Kernow. This Great Trek of the Transport Party film was produced by Ethereal Light Photography in conjunction with Cousin Jack’s World to commemorate and celebrate the epic journey of what has been dubbed, ‘The Great Trek of the Transport Party.’

I’m Redruth born and bred, and my interest in Mexico stems primarily from family connections. Captain John Veall Inch (1856-1919), a very tall, broad-shouldered chap, was the son of my 3x maternal great grandfather, James Inch, the Mine Agent at Wheal Buller, Redruth. John spent around 20 years working as a mine captain in Real del Monte, umpired many cricket matches and sang regularly at events that took place at the Pachuca Methodist Chapel.

 

 

I also have family buried at the Real del Monte ‘English’ cemetery: the Trythalls (and Vials) of Camborne, who are related on my maternal grandfather’s line. My PhD was awarded in 2003 due to my research into Cornish mineworkers to Latin America, prompted primarily by my family’s migration to mines in Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Bolivia.

 

 

The Great Trek of the Transport Party has always fascinated me. As a founder member of the Cornish Mexican Cultural Society, I was one of a group that in 2008 attempted to follow the route along the old Camino Real from Veracruz to Real del Monte via Xalapa. Unfortunately, the weather did not play ball on that occasion and the route between Huamantla and Apan could not be followed due to severe flooding, in an echo of the fate that befell the Transport Party!

 

 

Last autumn my partner, Dr Martin Critchley, and Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Officer, Ainsley Cocks, made two journeys to and from Real del Monte to the State of Veracruz to successfully trace and film the complete route.

 

 

 

 

Six archives/libraries in Mexico, the USA and the UK were visited, which permitted me to piece together all of the known available company and consular records concerning the 1825-6 Transport Party. I married these with contemporary travelogues and items of interest from historic newspapers published in both Spanish and English. From this data I have written the first ever comprehensive history of this remarkable event, which informed the filmscript for the Great Trek documentary.

 

 

A Night to Remember

Deborah Tritton, Archive Services Manager, and her team at Kresen Kernow, Redruth, provided the venue for the first screening of the film. This was rather fitting, as this splendid archive holds material which informed the Great Trek of the Transport Party film. The venue was packed to the rafters with standing room only, as people arrived to see the film from the length and breadth of Cornwall and even Devon. For many people, it was their first visit to the historic building which was formerly the Redruth Brewery and many vowed to return to consult the archive.

“A great event at a splendid venue” (Penzance Old Cornwall Society)

Redruth is also the only place in the UK to be twinned with anywhere in Mexico, and I was delighted to welcome Town Mayor, Alison Biscoe who has previously visited Real del Monte, and my old schoolmate, Paul Broad, the Deputy Mayor.

 

 

“Well done last night Sharron. You should be very proud” (Redruth Deputy Mayor, Paul Broad)

The Town Councillors also turned out in force, including Deborah Reeve, who is also the Secretary of the Redruth-Real del Monte Twinning Association, and she kindly spoke about the importance of the links between our two nations. I was honoured to see each and every one of our Town Councillors. What a splendid community spirit we have in Redruth!

“Me hubiera gustado estar ahí ! Muchas felicidades!” (Javier Straffon, Mexico)

 

In addition we welcomed Geraint Richards, the High Sheriff of Cornwall and Cornwall County Councillor and Deputy Grand Bard of Gorsedh Kernow, Dr Loveday Jenkin, who both kindly addressed the audience.

 

 

“A very interesting film and a professional presentation, with a nice drop of wine too. Thank you Sharron for signing my books. A lovely evening” (Alan Livsey)

Dr Martin Critchley was an able Master of Ceremonies and Ainsley Cocks, introducing the film, explained that a book about the Great Trek will be published next year in tandem with the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site in its 20th anniversary year, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the Mineral of Real del Monte-Pachuca. Look out for more details on this new publication in the coming months!

 

 

“Thoroughly interesting and enjoyable evening – hats off to you Sharron, Martin and Ainsley for producing such a well researched and interesting film. This history would have become lost to time without your efforts. Thank you so much” (Beverly Balin-Bull).

Geoffrey Olds and Nigel Pender, my old neighbours and close friends from Lanner, ensured that we were all kept well fed and refreshed, and my mother, Sylvia Kessell, manned the book stall and collected donations for ‘The Great Trelawney Hug.’ 

 

“It was a brilliant evening. Meur ras bras” (Michael Bunney)

I am planning to screen the film at multiple venues in Mexico later this year so our friends there will get a chance to see it with Spanish subtitles.

“Wonderful Sharon!! I hope next time you visit us, you can show us the film 📽️ I could love to see it” (Leticia Brown, Mexico)

We Doubled the Money for ‘The Great Trelawney Hug’!

On the night we raised almost £600 for the Great Trelawney Hug to purchase high quality woollen cloth in the Cornish National Tartan for the young musicians of the St Piran’s Pipe and Drum Band to make kilts. 

 

 

In addition to the monies raised at the Murdoch House coffee morning and the Town Twinning concert held at Redruth Wesleyan Chapel, we collected £711! We have now raised £1,445 which means we have crossed the halfway target of £2,500!

All being well, I will purchase the cloth and deliver it to Mexico later this year. Thank you to all of you who have chipped in to this very worthy cause. Every pound, euro, dollar, or peso counts, so if you would like to make a donation, you may do so in your own currency via our Go Fund Me

My deepest thanks to everyone who attended the Great Trek of the Transport Party film screening, lent a hand, and said a few words. I am especially indebted to Deborah Tritton and her marvellous colleagues at Kresen Kernow, many of whom were present at the screening. Thanks One and All!

Redruth Turns out in Force for Historical Documentary