Anger as school puts an end to ancient tradition
THE Mayor of St Just and the head teacher of Cape Cornwall secondary school have clashed over a tradition that has been packing the town square since the 14th century.
Councillor Monty Nicholls told The Cornishman head teacher Jackie Steele should have consulted the church and the town council before breaking the custom of giving school children Feast Monday off school.
St Just school pupils have always been allowed to take the day off for Feast. However, this year the head teacher has said pupils must go to school.
The mayor said: "Feast is a celebration that involves the entire community.
"Children have always been part of it and families enjoy spending the day together; the head teacher should have sought the feeling of the town before making this decision."
Jackie Steele moved from London to take up the post at Cape Cornwall School in January.
A school spokesperson said the decision to keep the children in school was reached at a recent meeting of heads of department.
"It was felt that over the last few years Feast is not being celebrated as much as it once was and it was decided it was probably best to keep the children at school and celebrate feast in our own way with a free teacher and pupil lunch and afternoon sports.
"It's unfortunate that some people see this in a negative light because we have worked hard to make it a really nice day."
The Reverend Stephen Leach, St Just vicar for 21 years, said he agreed with the Town Mayor.
"I think the head teacher should have been advised to consult at least with the town council.
"I would imagine the children would want to have the day off to enjoy the hunt and the football and rugby matches.
"There's lots of things going on."
St Just town councillor Colin McClary, whose daughter attends Cape Cornwall School, said he was "totally annoyed" with the head teacher's decision.
"I am concerned that there is a long tradition being broken here. Feast is not quite as vibrant as it once was and we need the youngsters there to inject ideas and keep the tradition going for the future," he said.
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by A true St Juster, St Just
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:45PM
“Forgot to mention in my previous comment - St Just Feast is always the Sunday nearest the beginning of November. I believe that this has been the case for the last 651 years - maybe you shouldn't rely on Google for everything - its not as good as you may think - you don't know what else you might be missing!”
by A true St Juster, St Just
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:40PM
“I take it you're not Cornish then Dooby Duck? Several places have a "Feast" - not just St Just. Paul, Sennen and Madron to name just a few. You can't read The Cornishman either then or you would have seen the 2 page report on Paul Feast the other week.
Its not just an event for locals - you should come and see what it's all about as you felt compelled enough to comment about it on this website. Anyone and everyone is welcome - the more the merrier. You can see the civic parade at 11 am this Sunday (followed by service in the Church) and the other events start at around 11 am on Monday in the main square. Come along, meet some people and then maybe you would be better equipped with the knowledge to give better judgement on this story.”
by Dooby Duck, Cornwall
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 1:20PM
“As Feast cannot be googled, I can only assume outsiders are not welcome - how else are we supposed to find out about it?
A local festival for local people
nuff said”
by Sarah Burns, Cornwall resident
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 9:36AM
“Yes "Cornish pasty" you are right, the centre of the cornish crest with the 15 golden bezants can be dated back to the 14th century so it is quite old.
HOWEVER it's use as the logo for the county council, which is what was being discussed, only dates back to 1948.
Do try to keep up.”
by Paul, Warks
Friday, October 24 2008, 12:45PM
“Welcome to the PC age. Last year my son's school had a winter lights day. No mention of a Xmas anywhere”
by A true St Juster, St Just
Friday, October 24 2008, 12:22PM
“After reading all these comments I'm amazed that no-one has actually stated that Feast is the celebration of the dedication of the Parish Church. The civic parade and Church Service on the Sunday is the main community event. All the other events are complimentary to this and enjoyed by a large number of people who make a special effort to come home. Spending time with your family and friends is a very important part of Feast and what makes it so special to those "locals".
Feast is not something for "Googling" - (Dooby Duck, Cornwall - get out and meet some people!) this proves my point - its about real people enjoying the real things in life that matter - people they care about. I'm not denying that they may be a small drop of alcohol consumed over the weekend but isn't that the same as any other celebration - birthdays, Christmas, New Year??
I'm glad that the headteacher has backed down and given the children the day off. Children are entitled to a certain amount of days off per year anyway so I've just written a letter to my daughters headteacher and it was well received and we were told to "Have a good Feast!". A sentiment that I pass onto all St Justers reading this!!”
by cornishpasty, kernow
Friday, October 24 2008, 10:23AM
“Actually Sarah Burns, the centre of the cornish crest with the 15 golden bezants can be dated back to the 14th century so it is quite old. The miner and fisherman were added later!”
by Sarah Burns, Cornwall resident
Friday, October 24 2008, 10:02AM
“Another one of those Cornish "traditions" which is being "undermined" by "foreigners"?
Just like the council logo which, being an ancient symbol, of Cornwall dates back to all of ...oooohhh.... 1948!
Now that's what you call "ancient" and ":traditional"...”
by Dave G, Cornwall 24
Friday, October 24 2008, 9:54AM
“As the respected Cornish author Craig Weatherhill tells us;
"It is the policy of the "County" Council (as well as District Councils and the National Trust) not to appoint Cornish candidates to senior positions if they can possibly avoid doing so. "
So it's understandable why this happened, the county council is biased against the Cornish!”
by Tracy, Penwith
Friday, October 24 2008, 7:06AM
“Schools teach children about traditions and culture ....yet disregard a tradition that has been going for many years right on their own doorstep !!
If the teachers want to work that day they should of arranged a teacher training day for the feast Monday....this way the children still have their day off with their families to celebrate feast ...... then there would be one less extra day off for teacher training sometime in the school year.
There is never a problem with children having days off when the schools choose ...”