Grand Bard of Cornish Gorsedd seeks St Piran public holiday
The Grand Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd has renewed calls for St Piran's Day to be made a public holiday as people across Cornwall prepared for a week of celebrations.
Events to mark the birthday of Cornwall's favourite saint will get under way this weekend.
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Grand Bard of Cornish Gorsedd seeks St Piran public holiday
With street parades in Redruth and St Ives today and an outdoor theatre performance on the sand dunes above Perranporth tomorrow, celebrations will culminate on St Piran's Day itself on Tuesday.
Wishing everyone "dy' goel Sen Peran da dhywgh-hwi oll" – a happy Pirantide to you all – Grand Bard Maureen Fuller said: "It is wonderful to see the number of events multiplying and being spread out over several days.
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"If we carry on growing, then St Piran's Day must become a public holiday and a chance for everyone to celebrate."
Mrs Fuller, who is head of the cultural organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Cornish culture, said Piran – the patron saint of tinners – was a fitting symbol for the Cornish people because he was a man of "peace, healing and justice".
"We are also lucky to have a saint who enjoyed feasting," she added. "So celebrating his life by having a good time seems appropriate as well as enjoyable."
Redruth will kick off the proceedings at 11.40am today, when a procession is due to leave St Rumon's Gardens and make its way through the town.
"This will be followed at 2pm by a similar procession from St Ives Guildhall. Tomorrow sees the annual promenade play performed at Gear Sands, above Perranporth. With a new script by Alan Kent, up to a thousand "pilgrims" are expected to follow the action to St Piran's oratory and cross.
Eileen Carter of St Piran Trust said: "Everyone is welcome to come along on Sunday and we hope even more people will join us this year for a day of entertainment on the dunes. There is no cost and all are very welcome."
Bewnans Peran starts at 2pm starting from Haven Holiday Park at Perranporth. Admission is free.
On St Piran's Day proper – March 5 – schoolchildren and others will take part in public events in Penzance, Truro, Liskeard, Bodmin and St Ives, as well as many smaller gatherings.
17 Comments
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by Big_Ger
Monday, March 04 2013, 6:47PM
“The Queen is older than the Cornish Gorsedd, she was born in 1926, the Gorsedd was invented in 1928.”
by youngcornwall
Sunday, March 03 2013, 1:43PM
“@Doitdreckley
Yes I go with that, and to say Jethro our Cornish comedian has done more for Cornwall of late than anyone, and is as qualified if not more so than anyone to represent Cornwall.”
by Jonny2010
Sunday, March 03 2013, 1:32PM
“Doitdreckley you are spot on mate!”
by Doitdreckley
Sunday, March 03 2013, 12:14PM
“It is not the Saint or the man, it is what they represent. If people revel in their Cornishness, in their sense of community, and this generates economic activity then this is all good. As a Bank Hoiliday it would generate a lot of economic activity in Cornwall
If Cameron and his cronies thought Bank Holidays were a bad thing then they wouldn't be giving days off for weddings and celebrations 60 years as unelected Head of State.”
by youngcornwall
Sunday, March 03 2013, 9:14AM
“by Big_Ger
"I think you'll find that the majority of Saints were actual people, not myths."
Saints are man made. The carryings on by some who walk in the corridors of responsibility that decides who qualifies to be a saint, leaves a lot to think about.”
by PaddyTrembath
Sunday, March 03 2013, 12:21AM
“youngcornwall
"@ Doitdreckley
Well you tell us "what else has Cornwall got these days" and why St.Piran is a not a myth? Came to Cornwall from Ireland floating on a millstone, not a myth, come on get real."
Floating on a millstone..............
Walking on water.....................
Myth or metaphor?
Gospel or lie?
Is it only those who hail from the Middle East that are deemed capable of such miracles?
On the other hand, do not all great men have exaggerated stories told about their exploits?
As for Piran himself, a little light reading:-
http://tinyurl.com/a3z3x32
http://tinyurl.com/a8ms6wt
http://tinyurl.com/bk94mra”
by Big_Ger
Saturday, March 02 2013, 8:25PM
“"And every Saint is a myth."
States Doitdreckly.
I think you'll find that the majority of Saints were actual people, not myths.”
by st-fetishist
Saturday, March 02 2013, 7:57PM
“With the country 9 trillion $ in debt I wonder if a day off work is really a good idea”
by TheCelt
Saturday, March 02 2013, 7:22PM
“I popped to Redruth today and was taken aback by the size of the procession which filled the main street before it set off! I did not hear Grand Bard but concur with her request. I look forward to tomorrow's event at Perranporth. Let's hope for a good day in respect of the weather.
dy' goel Sen Peran da dhywgh-hwi oll ynweth!
J.T.
MA Celtic Studies; University of Wales (Trinity St. David) 2008”
by youngcornwall
Saturday, March 02 2013, 7:09PM
“"This is now the time for Cornwall to more foward in its ever increasing sense of identity."
Beyond Reproach
Us Cornish are stubborn and cannot stand being told
but we live for today not waiting to get old
It is all in our genes our make up and all that
eyes never on the ball always on the bat
Who is fooling who at the end of the day
you can't fool us Cornish no matter what you say
No skin off my nose as the old man said
and that has been over fifty years now since he's been dead.
yc”