Tam Kernewek “ A bit of Cornish” Kevrol (Volume) 34 Dyllans (Issue) 2 Hav (Summer) 2016 Prag yth yw Kernewek da rag Kernow - learning bilingually outperform those learning only in English. Why Cornish is good for Cornwall. · Rag agan kerghynnedh (For our environment) - The Cornish CORNWALL COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE Friday 27th May 2016 language is everywhere in Cornwall’s environment; in place names, family names, and mining terminology. The Cornish land- A yllowgh ri pymp acheson prag yth yw an yeth Kernewek da rag scape would not be recognisably Cornish without language ele- Kernow? (Can you give five reasons why the Cornish language is ments such as Tre, Pol, Nance, Bos, Chy and Pen. An under- good for Cornwall?) standing of the language helps us understand the history of our The answer to this question is set out in a new leaflet produced by environment. Cornwall Council as part of its campaign to persuade the Govern- · Rag gonisogeth ha ertach (For culture and heritage) – Other ment to reverse its decision to withdraw funding for the Cornish regions have used heritage, culture and language to make big language. money globally and support economic development. Cornwall The Government announced in April that it was cutting all its fund- already has a very strong, dynamic cultural offering and regener- ing for the Cornish language with immediate effect – despite pre- ation programme based on its heritage. Cornish underpins our viously reassuring Council Leader John Pollard that the last mi- culture, encourages creativity and has been used to make fund- nute removal of funding for the Cornish Language from the Devo- ing bids stand out. With investment and support Cornwall can lution Deal agreement was a technical matter and that an alterna- generate economic rewards in the way that places like Ireland tive funding route would be identified. have. The decision has disappointed many individuals, communities, “The Cornish language is a great source of pride for Cornwall businesses and Councillors, both in and outside Cornwall, leading and is part of what makes Cornwall and the Cornish unique” said to a petition, now signed by more than 8,000 people, and an Early Julian German. “Over the last five years use of the language has Day Motion put forward by MPs calling for funding to be reinstat- increased and this is reflected in street names, signage and on ed. mainstream and social media. Just as importantly, it supports our Now the Council, with the support of Gorsedh Kernow, the Cham- local and visitor economy as the increase in the use of the lan- ber of Commerce and Visit Cornwall, language experts from the guage in marketing and tourism has proved. “ Akademi Kernewek, Mark Trevethan, the Council’s Cornish Lan- “In fact, if you need evidence of the importance of the Cornish guage Lead and Julian German, the Council’s Cabinet Member language and the growing interest in its use, you need only look for Economy and Culture, has produced a new leaflet highlighting at the publicity generated by the first Cornish speaking television the importance of the Cornish language as part of Cornwall’s advert produced by Kelly’s which was broadcast on national culture and distinctiveness. television this week”. The leaflet identifies five key reasons why the Cornish language is The 30 second advert, which features an ice cream seller speak- good for the whole of Cornwall. ing Cornish while selling his product, was launched on Monday These are: and will run for six weeks in prime time on ITV and Channel 4. · Rag negys (For business) - Cornwall’s business community The advert was created with support from Mark Trevethan, from thrives on our Cornish distinctiveness and is a key part of our the Council’s Cornish Language Office, who said “Although the identity – helping to differentiate Cornish produce and Cornwall’s advert is fun and entertaining, it is also making a serious point attraction as a unique place. Enhancing our distinctiveness can about the important role of language in celebrating culture and increase our income and, thereby, jobs. heritage.” As well as being broadcast on television, the advert · Rag agan kemeneth (For our community) - Strengthening the has been featured in the national press, and shared on social importance of the language gives children in Cornwall a stronger media - helping to put the Cornish language, and Cornwall, well bond with where they come from, helping to boost the quality of and truly on the map. jobs and income levels in the future. The language is a positive, “The popularity of the advert shows the importance of the Cor- Cornish American Heritage Society Cornish American Heritage forward looking way to express identity that anyone can learn and nish language in enhancing our distinctiveness and boosting our use. It is being applied to various modern uses and has enabled economy” said Julian German. “The Leader of the Council has Cornwall to take part in international projects, not open to English already written to the Minister to call for a special meeting to counties. agree to a funding package which is acceptable to both Cornwall · Rag adhyskans (For education) - A second language is proven and the Government and we are waiting for a response. The to enhance how children perform generally at school. Learning a Council’s campaign and the production of the new leaflet, has language develops communication skills and enhances the ability been welcomed by a large number of individuals and organisa- to learn other languages; for example on the Isle of Mann children tions, both in and outside of Cornwall. pesys war folen 32 23 Messach an Lewydh (Message from President) Greetings to all Cornish Cousins, with continuing good wishes. For some months now, the Board of CAHS has been discussing changes which have inevitably come to an organization striving to promote remembrance and celebration of our Cornish heritage. We all agree to the enrichment it brings into our lives. It seems clear that there is no home for another Gathering, as local societies experience an unwill- ingness, an inability to draw forth the resources necessary to plan a big event. Recent news indicates that the Cornish Society of Greater Kansas City and the Cornish Society of Illinois are disbanding due to the aging of members and the difficulty of finding continuing leadership. Other societies around the U.S. and Canada are experiencing similar difficulties. To respond to these changes and to a growing trend, the Board will spend the summer in discussion as to how CAHS can continue. It seems clear that a restructure of some sort is in order. Several ideas have surfaced, and if you or your local society have any thoughts about what we should do, please let one of us know. The next issue of this newsletter will contain a proposed action plan for our future. Kathryn Herman Poetry in Mother Tongue Hal Dart Dartmoor An hal yu compes The moor is level Gell, ha gwer ha du Brown and green and black An dor gwernak yu The earth marshy Adro an veyn growyn. Around the granite stones. Blejennow byghan yu gwelys Little flowers are seen Sterennow melen splan Fine yellow stars Adro meyn elvennek Around the stones of elvan Yn gwelsennow gun. On the grassy moor. Tykkydew gans lyes lyw A butterfly of many colors A-nyj yn ebren splan Flies in the splendid sky An comolow gwyn a-vuf The white clouds float Avel an deves bugales. Like the sheep of the shepherd. Gwyngala, an dalleth Kynyaf September, the start of autumn Cornish Society of Greater Milwaukee An delyow a-wra cotha The leaves fall newsletter An deweth Haf'tom The end of a hot summer Pan dhe'n Gwaf. And then comes winter. 24 Correspondence from Societies Highlights of the weekend in- and Cousin Jack Website cluded, the unveiling of the Cor- nish Plaque at Cornish Hill on Editor: It is with regrets that I add this short note to our the Thomas Lookout site, the newsletter. Bardic ceremony celebrating the Enclosed is a check for $50 to your organization. We are 30th Bardic assembly held in disbanding the Greater Kansas City Cornish Society Australia, and the formal dinner because we are unable to get new leadership. We will be on the Saturday evening cele- meeting with the Welsh Society sometimes and honoring brating our 30th Birthday of the St. Piran’s Day as long as we can. April 20, 2016 CAV. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Daylesford Festival 18th-20th March 2016 Beryl Curnow CAV newsletter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The festival was a huge success and much enjoyed by the 70 + folk who attended our 30th anniversary. Bendigo It was a real reunion and catch up with a number of friends from Cornish Associations in NSW, SA, Qld The Cornish in Bendigo have been busy of late providing and from each of the CAV branches, Geelong, Balla- information to a local historian, James Lerk, who is currently rat and Bendigo. Sadly, our Melbourne numbers writing a book about Diamond Hill pioneers. Some of these were down. folk have Cornish ancestry so it has been a labour of love to This was our first visit to Daylesford for a festival, provide information to add flesh to the bones of the Cornish specifically chosen to give support to the Cornish in the book. Hill Committee of Management which CAV had en- James Lerk also writes a weekly column in the Bendigo couraged with letters of support over the past three Weekly newspaper which goes out free to homes in Bendigo years enabling them to seek Government and Local and District. He has always supported the Cornish endeav- Council grants to promote the gold mining history in ours here in Bendigo and over the past few weeks we have their area.