I was asked recently by Garry Tregidga to write my idea of a mainfesto for Cornwall. I was delighted to be able to do so. I have a long experience within Cornwall, dealing with Cornish organisations and reflected on some of my experiences.with them. Below is what was published in the Institute of Cornwall Studies’ manifesto book published in 2024. Mine concentrates on how Cornish groups and societies need to work together and stop being “the most important” group.
I was very honoured to be asked to give my opinion for “My Manifesto for Cornwall”. None of my thoughts are at all politically based.My opinions are based on decades of working for the press, starting a successful Cornish magazine plus a current free Cornish website started during the Covid pandemic.
Cornwall is unique and could be much improved if there could be greater unity between organisations, associations, clubs and other societies.
Many are supported financially by their members, which is amazing considering Cornwall is one of the poorest areas in Europe.
Some organisations also benefit from having charitable status.
One of the main problems I see is too many cliques that do not wish to share our precious history and “wave the Cornish Flag”.
This knowledge should not only be shared in newsletters and group meetings in a local pub or village hall. But needs to be shared to a much wider audience such as schools run by the education department of Cornwall Council. Many schools are taking this into consideration and are struggling to get assistance.
Some groups seem to look after their own members, they need to expand and share, especially to our young people as mentioned above.
Personally I tried to give some of these groups free publicity over the years and received nothing, because the PR staff or others were too busy.
If sharing could be allowed to happen then it could improve and strengthen Cornwall’s place and importance not only in the World but most importantly in our homeland.
There needs to be a centralised body that accumulates and shares as much knowledge as possible. Plus, share when they are asked by anyone that can “spread the word” this I have tried to do for many years.
To finish I think we need UNITY before it is too late to undo any damage done by keeping the knowledge within groups.
Sadly I have been in some local meetings where members of various organisations butt heads with other groups. PLEASE STOP and join forces.
Terry Harry