Tam Kernewek “ A bit of Cornish” Volume 32 Issue 4 Winter 2014 CORNWALL – MEXICO LINKS In October representatives of the Redruth—Real del Monte Twinning Association visited in Mexico for twelve days at the time of the 6th International Paste Festival. Many interesting events took place during their time there, and fascinating connections were made. Particularly significant connections were created between schools in the Redruth area and the schools in Real del Monte. Association secretary and Redruth Town councilor Deborah Reeve indicated that creating links of this kind was one of the aims of Twinning Association when it was formed at the beginning of this year. Prior to the visit to Mexico a connection had already been made between Treleigh Primary school and an equiva- lent school in Real del Monte. The delegation also carried with them letters of introduction from Illogan and St. Day & Carharrack primary schools and Cornwall College. Mrs. Reeve visited several schools while in Mexico and was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the local school children who immediately came forward with ideas, letters and e-mails to make the most of the links. Before returning home she was given a tour of the facilities of Magattzi School by head teacher David Ortiz Licona. Upon return to Redruth members of the Twinning Association met with Redruth School head teacher Craig Mar- tin and six children from the year 7 Spanish class. Letters from students at Magattzi were delivered and a commitment was made to begin this exciting connection. Ian Thomas (vice chair), Redruth School head teacher Craig Mar- tin, Deborah Reeve (secretary Redruth-Real del Monte Twinning Association), Manny Hernandez (chairman of the Twinning Asso- ciation) and year seven Spanish pupils celebrate the new link. Manny Hernandez, the President of the Twinning Association wrote : “Part of our mission is to establish a connection between the schools of Redruth and Real del Monte. Thanks to the efforts of Ian Thomas, Deb Reeve, Vanessa Moyle and Mike Kiernan we have done just that. Upon Mike's return to the UK after his visit, he brought back with him hundreds of letters from children in 5 different schools in Real del Monte (one which will be visited by Prince Charles), written to the children of 5 schools in Redruth. Cornish American Heritage Society Cornish American Heritage This is a very touching and heart warming beginning to what we hope will be a long lasting and enduring relationship be- tween the children of both our towns. The friendships between children can last a life time, it is their objectiveness and their imaginations that can change the world. We as adults have an obligation to them, I hope that with the efforts of our members and our counterparts in Real del Monte we can afford our children the chance to forge new friendships and en- lighten them as to how alike we all really are. Our gratitude to all of our friends and extended family in Real del Monte, Hidalgo, Mexico. continued page 79 72 Presidents’ Message Driving along my particular stretch of the mid-Western freeway the other day, I was struck by how the red/orange/yellows of the colorful autumn have changed to the brown/gray/duns of the approaching winter. The long evenings of winter always seem like a good excuse to settle down with a cuppa and a good book. And it occurred to me that this is the perfect time to indulge ourselves in learning more about one of the favorite subjects for all of us: our Cornish heritage. Several of our North American authors who write Cornish history, fiction, and poetry were featured at the recent Gathering of the Cornish Cousins in Milwaukee. You can also refer to the Fall 2014 edition of Tam Kernewek for more materials. Several websites listing “Cornish Literature” will yield many more ideas. I encourage you to explore the various bibliographies and make the most of winter’s quiet time. No better way to do so than with your nose in a good Cornish story! Oll an gwella. Kathryn 73 Devolution Up until 1549, the time of the Prayer Book Rebel- lion, the title used by the English rulers was Anglia et Cornubia in Latin, meaning England and Corn- The result of the vote on independence in wall. From then on, this title was not used, presum- Scotland may have been “No” for full devo- ably because we had rebelled. No record exists of lution but the referendum may yet have fa- any formal annexation of Cornwall to England in vourable consequences for Cornwall. law. So there you have it...” There is a lot being said about similarities Even if the Scottish voted “No”, its assembly will be between Cornwall and Scotland. Both occu- granted more powers and autonomy and many py geographic extremities with huge stretch- Cornish are seeking a separate assembly especial- es of coastline. Both have Celtic roots. They ly the political party Mebyon Kernow. A local as- have their own language, traditions, culture sembly could take over some powers currently ex- and a distinct ercised in Westminster with the aim of making de- history of which they are proud. Many peo- cisions that are more relevant to Cornwall’s needs. ple have made the trip from Land’s End to John o’Groats, the northernmost tip of the Opinions remain mixed in Cornwall as they were Scottish mainland. The two points have be- demonstrated to be in Scotland. Some people feel come synonymous with “the length and more British than Cornish so, if a referendum were breadth of the country”; just like Bluff to to be held there now, the result would be far from Cape Reinga. certain. We may have a long wait before we are given that opportunity but the Scottish experience A “Yes” result would have made Scotland a may well be a step in the right direction. completely separate country. No-one wants such complete independence for Cornwall New Zealand Cornish Association Newsletter (except maybe the most extreme of extrem- ists) but many see the Scottish referendum, despite the result, as an indication of a growing willingness for the UK or Great Brit- ain to show more tolerance to other cultures. There is no doubt that the Cornish economy would make it hard to justify any significant separation from the coffers of London. With a population of 532,300 at the 2011 census, Cornwall accounted for only 0.6% of Brit- ain’s economy and the average wage was 83% of the average British income. Surpris- ingly, less than 2% of Cornwall’s annual in- come is earned from tourism. In her speech at the Gorsedh gathering at Torpoint on 6 September the Grand Bard http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/scott-phillips/genealogy-and- made the point that in April the Government working-your-cornish-roots-just-find-the-holes-in-the- announced it would include the Cornish in earth_b_5271418.html the Council of Europe’s Framework Conven- tion for the Protection of National Minorities. Interesting article on the Cornish in Huffington Post online She said, “To be officially recognised as Cornish has its merits, but this is something, we the Cornish, have known all our lives.” 74 Correspondence from Societies Hi, I am often referred to as 'Cornish Poet Clive Blake', and if you carry out an internet search (especially if set to and Cousin Jack Website 'Images') of this, you will find many of my illustrated poems (phoems). 22nd Annual Cornish Fest A Success I was featured in the United Press anthology of 'Ten Of The Best' (Poets of 2013) and I have been nominated to be fea- The last weekend of September, 2014 was as per- tured in the 2014 version of this anthology. fect as a Disney movie, with gentle breeze, mild You can also find some examples of my poems, plus audio temps and fall colors in view. recordings of me reading them on Poemhunter.com. At the wrap-up meeting the whole affair was deter- The reason I am contacting you is that Ross Blewett has mined to be another success, with most Festival produced a free iPhone/iPad App of my work which is called 'Phoetry1Free'. events at the same level or exceeding the previous It is a very unusual App which combines poetry, photog- years. The date was set for the same last weekend raphy, typography, 'Page Curl' technology and audio record- of September 25-27, 2015 for the next Fest. Inquir- ings of me reading all sixty of the poems included. I would ies are already being received regarding Cornish love to let people in America, with Cornish connections, Fest 2015 held in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. know of its existence. There is an interesting background to the production of this Southwest Wisconsin Cornish Society newsletter App which involves the collaboration of five Cornishmen. ************************************************************ I hope this is of interest to you. See “Items of Interest” Three New CAV Aussie Bards Appointed Clive Blake, Newquay, Cornwall Email: [email protected] Congratulations to Wendy Benoit, Ballarat, Robert Lloyd, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bendigo and Derek Trewarne, Melborne for their work for Cornwall in Australia. Cornish Association of Victoria Newsletter __________________________________________ “Waiter, waiter, there’s a crocodile in my soup! The Cornish Association of New South Wales Well sir, you told me to make it snappy!“ will celebrate St. Piran’s Day as well as their 40 Cornish Association of New South Wales newsletter Year Anniversary. Come along and celebrate the 40 years of Cornish friendships, learning and fun since the formation of the then Cornish Association of Sydney in April 1975.