Congratulations to Cornwall Council for approving the policy of bilingual signs to be rolled out across Cornwall for new and replacement street signs. Also, well done to Council Leader, Alec Robertson and Councillor Dick Cole who both spoke eloquently in support of the policy. The policy that was previously enacted by Kerrier and Carrick District Councils was widely welcomed by residents and visitors alike. In fact, as we write, an opinion poll shows 74% of people in favour of greater use of the Cornish language.

Here in Camborne we have a thriving Cornish Language Society and the Town Council was forward thinking enough to adopt the European Charter for Minority Languages before the Westminster government. Indeed, over 60% of the existing street names are already in Cornish.
The Cornish language played an important part in the Objective One bid proving our cultural uniqueness. Yet, in spite of this and the fact that the signs will have a positive economic benefit as well as being at no extra cost to the Council, Councillor Morwenna Williams (Con. Troon & Beacon), who was only 41 votes ahead of a Mebyon Kernow Councillor who fully supports the Cornish Language, chose to state: “this will not be welcomed in my part of the County. Some people will find this ridiculous and unnecessary.” Has she talked to many people in the Ward on this issue? Or, is she listening to a small group of narrow minded individuals who choose to ridicule the Cornish culture. Does she not know her own name is Cornish in origin?
Doubtless, the letter columns of this paper will be full of the rabid, bile filled rants of people filled with assertions that “it’s costing the rate-payers money” or “people will be confused” despite so many place and street names already being in Cornish.
It is a dangerous game to stir the pot of bigotry, something Cllr Williams should have avoided. It is also a view that seems out of step with modern Conservatism.

Yours sincerely,
Cllr Alan Sanders
Camborne Town Councillor, Cornish Bard
Cllr Mike Champion
Camborne Town Councillor
Cllr Stuart Cullimore
Cornwall Councillor, Camborne Town Councillor
Cllr Helene Cullimore
Camborne Town Councillor

This entry was posted on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 12:18 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.