DESPITE the blustery weather, proud Cornish folk took part in processions marking St Piran’s Day on Sunday.

At Launceston around more than 50 gathered on the Castle Green, before processing through the town to the Bell Inn.

The Bell Inn was one of a number of pubs taking part in the ‘Trelawny Shout’ — 9pm mass singing of The Song of the Western Men. Drinkers here were helped along by The Bencoolen Wreckers from Bude, who joined in with the singing of what is known as ‘Cornwall’s national anthem’.

A walk over the downs at Bude had to be cut short due to extremely windy weather, but this did not deter around 70 people gathering at Bude Surf Lifesaving Club to celebrate St Piran’s Day.

Celebrations then continued at the Tree Inn at Stratton.

Cornwall’s young farmers, despite being involved in competitions on Sunday at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro, found time to celebrate.

Organised by Launceston Young Farmer Oliver Stephens, young farmers across Cornwall joined in with singing Trelawny on Lemon Quay.

Oliver said: “We had around 900 people singing along in the theatre, including those from Devon, Somerset and Dorset who bought into the national pride of the situation. Really great atmosphere with flags flying all over the place.”

St Austell Brewery estate director Adam Luck said: “It was amazing to see such a great turnout on a typically wild and wet Cornish night. The Trelawny Shout is a fantastic opportunity for people to come together and enjoy each other’s company and we really hope we’ve managed to break last year’s fundraising record for the Cornwall Community Foundation.

“The local pub is a perfect venue for the Shout and it just goes to show that true community spirit is still very much alive and kicking across the county.”