This weekend, speakers from across Cornwall will come together to rally in the medieval village of Trevalga in protest against “the systematic destruction of local communities caused by second homes and commercial exploitation” a spokesperson has said.

The rally hopes to place the “Battle for Trevalga” in the wider contexts of the challenges faced by Cornwall, such as its threatened heritage and lack of affordable housing for local people.

The event will take place in the village on Saturday, October 22 between 1pm and 3pm.

Speakers will include Cornwall based actor Stacey Guthrie who starred in the 2019 film Bait. The film deals with the tensions that arise between locals and tourists in a Cornish fishing village against a backdrop of second homes, short-term lets and gentrification.

Cath Navin, co-founder of First NOT Second Homes, will talk about the work her campaign group has been doing to highlight Cornwall’s housing crisis and to lobby for tighter controls on holiday homes.

Cornish bard and cultural consultant Ian Saltern will also be among those speaking at the rally. Ian is a member of the county council’s Cornish Minority Working Group which is committed to preserving and developing the distinct culture and identity of Cornish people.

Local musician Maria Tucker will launch her new “Song for Trevalga” which she’ll be singing both in English and Cornish. And the Warriors of Tintagel, who re-enact skirmishes between the native Britons and early Saxon invaders, will be fueling locals’ fighting spirit by attending in full battle dress.

Campaigners are urging as many people as possible to come along to the rally, armed with protest signs and banners if possible, to send the a loud and clear “Cornwall is not for sale” message to the Government, planning authorities and other influential bodies.

Battle for Trevalga Campaign Co-ordinator Serena Partrick says: “Our fight here in Trevalga is about saving a unique piece of living Cornish history for future generations.

“But there’s a much bigger battle to be fought and it needs to be fought by all people across Cornwall before Cornish identity, community and culture are lost forever.

“It’s already happening. Nurses, teachers, hospitality and care workers can’t afford to buy or rent a home within commuting distance of their workplace. More than 21,000 people are on the housing register in Cornwall while at the same time the county has more than 12,000 second homes and more than 11,000 holiday lets.

“We believe every Cornish individual or family should have a decent first home before anyone else gets the chance to price them out of the market by buying a rarely-used second home.”