Culture and Heritage (Gonisogeth hag Ertach)
Leads: Garry Tregidga, Kate Neale
Key aims
- Kevrennow is an initiative that seeks to explore and develop the links between Cornwall and the other Celtic nations. Its immediate focus is on stronger academic, cultural and economic links (Kevrennow is the Cornish translation for this word) between Cornwall and Wales in line with the 2023 agreement between their respective administrations to work together.
- The Kevrennow programme is an initiative of the Institute in association with Cornish Story at the Rescorla Centre, and includes an annual festival at St. Austell on 6/7 March, publications and talks.
- For further details please contact G.H.Tregidga@exeter.ac.uk or K.Neale@exeter.ac.uk
Authors: Kensa Broadhurst, Lucy Ellis, Kate Neale, and Alice Thacker
Key points
- Commissioned by Cornwall Council as part of the Cornish Distinctiveness Programme 2024 to evaluate the impact of official recognition of the Cornish as a national minority (2014–2024).
- Over 2,000 survey respondents making it the first ever large scale piece of research on the topic of Cornish minority status.
- While awareness of Cornish cultural events and language is high, participation rates are lower, though 75% want more opportunities to engage. 91% believe in the importance of sustained investment in Cornish culture
Authors: Kensa Broadhurst, Lucy Ellis, Kate Neale, Alice Thacker
Key points
- A key lesson from the programme has been the positive opportunities for partnership working, not least access to expertise and alternative networks.
- The successful delivery of the programme demonstrates the opportunities for a wider mix of funding, for example health funding or business support. This opportunity can be enhanced if ICH and language activities can communicate more effectively with these sectors in ways that they understand, for example mental health benefits, brand recognition and social responsibility.
- Projects need a long-term funding plan to secure progress made to date and to keep the momentum of what has been achieved.
Authors: Kate Neale, Kensa Broadhurst, Lucy Ellis, Alice Thacker
Key findings
- Construct a development plan that focuses on the need for long-term, consistent funding to enable Cornish language organisations and partners to plan and invest in development of use of the language.
- Include a strategic aim to support the development and co-ordination of resources for Cornish language teachers across all areas of provision.
- More consistent communication of news, updates and progress relating to the Cornish language and the Cornish Language Strategy.
Authors: Gweniver Orchard, Prof Jane Wills
Key Points
- This dissertation explores the experiences with identity across different generations of residents in West Penwith
- The results suggest there are generational differences in the strength of Cornish identity, with older individuals being more likely to have the stronger native identity
- The study also demonstrates the complexities of dual or nested identities, with a clear distinction between Cornish folk self-identifying as Cornish and Not English
Author: Madeleine Midgley
Key findings
- The study highlights Cornwall's connection to African American historiography in the inter-war period
- Raises the profile of J.A.Rogers and the issue of race in relation to the United Kingdom
- Explores the wider context of Rogers’ visit to Cornwall, including the music, politics and labour disputes at the time
Authors: Jo Esra, Victoria Jenner, Rebecca Orchard and Garry Tregidga (project lead), The Institute of Cornish Studies.
Key points:
- Explores the history of Cornwall’s maritime churches from the distant past to the present day
- Combines oral history with the use of film, photography and historic documents
- Dissemination through an interactive website alongside written publications
Project lead: Garry Tregidga
Key points:
- An educational organisation that works in association with the Institute of Cornish Studies to investigate the cultural heritage of Cornwall and its global diaspora.
- Combines written articles, oral history, music, photography, poetry and film on an online dissemination platform.
- Supports interdisciplinary research in the field of Cornish Studies at the community level through a programme based on democratic scholarship.
Project lead: Matt Retallick, Manchester Metropolitan University
Key points
- The Cornish Art Research Network (CARN) is a new group for researchers.
- Art historical, critical, and theoretical responses to modern and contemporary art in Cornwall.
- Register your interest in membership.