Flamingo Ballroom tribute being considered by council

A music fan has asked the council to consider installing a permanent tribute to the former venue

A bid to mark one of Cornwall's lost music venues is being considered by Carn Brea parish council.

The Flamingo Ballroom in Pool operated between 1958 and 1979, and while open was believed to be the largest venue of its kind in the west of England.

A music fan has asked the council to consider installing a permanent tribute to the former 1,300 capacity venue.

Campaigner John Penna said the Flamingo Ballroom had made Redruth a "beacon of cultural significance".

'Missed opportunity'

Artists such as Pink Floyd, The Kinks and Status Quo played at the site, which was previously part of the Wheal Agar section of East Pool and Agar Mines, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

It was founded by Charlie Simpson and later taken on by his daughter Joy Hone, one of the few women working in the music industry at the time.

After its closure, the building was replaced by a Morrisons supermarket.

Mr Penna said the absence of a memorial at the site was a "missed opportunity" to celebrate Cornwall's "rich cultural heritage".

'Blue plaque'

He said: "An idea would be a blue plaque or even a sculpture by some local artists. People would go to see it and could even spend money in the supermarket.

"Locals are probably not even aware that the most famous musicians on the planet were in Redruth."

Andrew Moyle-Browning, clerk of Carn Brea parish council, said that Mr Penna's request would be passed to the amenities and projects committee in March.

He said the council would be supportive of an approach to Morrisons with a view to publicize the full history of the site, including its mining heritage.