GORSEDH Kernow and a number of Cornish bards received a warm welcome to Launceston recently.

With spirited words, Merv Davey, grand bard of Cornwall and a passionate Cornishman, began his proclamation speech on behalf of the bards of Gorsedh Kernow, who had gathered in Launceston town square.

He said: “Launceston has a proud place in Cornwall’s story. It is the historic capital of Cornwall and the castle was built by Brian of Brittany, the Breton knight who became the first Earl of Cornwall, following the Norman conquest.

“The creation of this earldom recognised Cornwall’s historic integrity and laid the foundations for the constitutional differences that make modern Cornwall distinct from England.”

He continued: “Today it is our culture and heritage which is under threat, and despite a potential climbdown on the much-maligned Devonwall issue, there are still forces at large today that would deny us our Celtic, global identity and demote Cornwall to a provincial existence on the periphery of a so-called South West region.”

Criticising the lack of TV and radio coverage of recent St Piran’s Day celebrations, the grand bard warned against indifference and negative stereotyping by the media, which sometimes led to expressions of intolerance and racism towards Cornish people.

The grand bard said: “We do, however, have the use of some powerful democratic tools, including recognition of the Cornish language, Kernewek, national minority status and the devolution deal, which gives a clear commitment to cherish and promote our precious Cornish culture.”

Proudly representing the town, the mayor of Launceston, Brian Hogan, warmly welcomed Gorsedh Kernow and formally invited the gathering of blue robed bards to hold their bardic ceremony and Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture in Launceston later in the year.

Mr Davey added: “Launceston is and has been a bastion of Cornishness on the banks of the Tamar, our border with England and its predecessors, for more than a millennium, and on behalf of all my fellow bards, I am delighted to accept this kind invitation from the mayor and townspeople of Launceston.”