about the societies

Old Cornwall is open to all who are interested in Cornwall - you do not have to be Cornish to be a member. All differences, whether political, religious or social, are left outside. All are welcome. Members bring their own personal contributions – recalling something read, remembered, heard or found; helping to revive old customs, or learning the Cornish language.

A society, once formed, is quite free and independent, except that it is guided by a minimum of rules drawn up by the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies, on which it is represented by delegates and to which it pays a nominal affiliation fee. It does, however, plan its own work to suit its size, situation and membership, and fixes its own subscriptions. Meetings are held once a month during the winter, when talks, sometimes with slides, and also other indoor activities are enjoyed. In the summer, "pilgrimages" are made to places of "Old Cornwall" interest, sometimes with a guide. Possibly, one of. the members, or a member of another society, can be called in for help and guidance.

Another important point is that members are by their common membership introduced to one another and are expected to pool their knowledge. A member of one society is entitled to attend the meetings of any other society.

A Summer Festival is held, taking place in a different venue each year. It gives an opportunity for Old Cornwall members from other parts of the County to meet in the morning and to exchange news and views. Each society is expected to bring and parade its banner, if it has one, and this is followed by a pasty lunch. In the afternoon, various "pilgrimages" to places of interest in the vicinity take place. If possible, a different society hosts this event each year. Similarly, a Winter Festival is held at an indoor venue, when suitable entertainment is provided and organised by the Federation Officers.

Each society has a Recorder whose special task is to gather up and record any stray scraps of Cornish dialect, language, local traditions, folklore, and antiquities in the area; to take newspaper cuttings, to note changes in shop functions, and to photograph physical changes in the environment, etc. Societies can also become depositories for artefacts, books and memorabilia. Some societies even open their own museums.

Insurance can be obtained by applying to the Federation Treasurer.

THE WORK OF OLD CORNWALL SOCIETIES

The collecting, recording and using of place-names, especially those of fields, lanes, earthworks, streams, pools, cliffs, rocks, fishing grounds, etc., with the old pronunciations. Such names are often absent from Ordnance Survey maps. The contents of Tithe Apportionment lists and maps, valuable as they are, need to be corroborated, resurrected if necessary, and perpetuated by usage.

The recording, collecting and handing on of folklore, folk-songs, local names of herbs and flowers, customs connected with healing, the old beliefs of miners, fishermen, smugglers, farmers and other occupational traditions.

The collecting, recording and the use of Cornish dialect words and expressions, including those peculiar to each area in Cornwall.

The collecting of detail concerning museum material, illustrating old Cornish industries, methods of working, tools, vehicles, farming implements, boats, buildings, house-keeping, dress, etc. and the making of photographic or other pictures of these. The advent of the computer opens up a new dimension to recording.

The collection of biographical detail concerning local worthies, odd characters and other such characteristic people of note.

The giving of watchful care to the antiquities, ancient stone monuments, crosses, bridges, cottage architecture, etc. of the neighbourhood and the spreading of a knowledge of the great value of such things. Any threatened danger to an antiquity should be made known to the necessary authorities.

The fostering in every way possible of the old customs of Cornwall, including Parish Feast, seasonal sports and amusements, wrestling, hurling, guise dancing, May and Midsummer observances, and also "Crying the Neck" ceremonies.

The encouragement of a wider and more practical interest in the Cornish dialect by studying, using, writing, tape-recording, and preserving printed matter.

The encouragement of and interest in the Cornish language and a lively sense of kinship with other Celts – the Welsh and Bretons, who so greatly helped us in restoring the traditions of the Gorsedd; also an interchange of activities with the Irish.

The use, whether seemingly o1d-fashioned or not, of the known correct Cornish pronunciation of our personal and place-names, of which spelling is often a false guide, but where the "old folk’s" ruling is a safe one.

The regular use of footpaths over which a legal right of way exists, thus assisting to keep them open, and the safeguarding in every possible way of the natural beauties of Cornwall.

The handing on to Cornish children of an adequate part of their heritage, that their self-respect may be assisted by pride in all things Cornish.

OUTSIDE WORK

In addition to the work carried on within the societies, members can do much to forward the Movement by giving talks and entertainment of an "Old Cornwall" character at places as yet beyond the direct influence of a local Old Cornwall Society group. Encouraged by the recognition of the Cornwall Education Committee, the Old Cornwall Societies have been able to reach the Cornwall of the future by helping pupils, if asked, on local history and also by welcoming scholars to society meetings.

Another side of the work carried on by societies is the holding of revivals of local customs such as "Crying the Neck", Midsummer Bonfires, Hurling and festivals applicable to certain areas, such as May Day at Padstow and Flora Day at Helston, and these should be supported by society members.

Attendance at the annual Gorsedd in September with the parade of societies’ banners is a "must". It was through the work of the local societies, spread over a wide area of Cornwall during the 1920s, that the formation of the Cornish Gorsedd took place in 1928. It was affiliated to the Welsh and Breton Bardic groups, and it gives encouragement to the spread of the Cornish language, and recognition, by the awarding of Bardships, to people giving exemplary service in different ways to the Cornish way of life, the elected Grand Bard being a member of an Old Cornwall society.

THE JOURNAL OF THE OLD CORNWALL SOCIETIES

The Journal is published twice a year. The Journal already goes out to Cornish men and women in every continent of the world, forming a link between them and those at home as well as being a common link to all Old Cornwall societies, every member of which is a potential contributor to its pages. It consists wholly of the unpaid contributions of Old Cornwall workers and is issued at a price that just covers expenses. Its original articles, chosen for their well-informed material, are not "highbrow", and also included are shorter notes on Old Cornwall subjects, reprints of rare old items of interest, folk- songs and music, photographs, book reviews and news from societies. Its strongest claim to attention is, however, that it prints matter which could not be considered by a magazine run for profit and catering to the general public.

HOW TO HELP WITH OLD CORNWALL WORK

Those people who are Cornish-hearted enough to feel that they would like to help with this work should, if possible, join an Old Cornwall society, or, perhaps, form a society in their own town or village. A small group to start with is all that is necessary.

HOW TO FORM AN OLD CORNWALL SOCIETY

To form a new society, all that is needed is to get together a small group of, say, three to five people who, if called upon, would consent to establish such a group. They would then call a public meeting, at which one or more representatives of the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies would explain the aims and methods of such a society and answer questions from prospective members. At such a preliminary meeting, it has usually been possible to start a society with its officers and committee duly elected and even fix a date for its first meeting. Each society, should, if possible, have the following officers: President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Recorder and an even number of committee members. They should hold an Annual General Meeting when a Balance Sheet is presented and when any matters raised by the members can be answered.

PROVISION OF SUBJECTS FOR MEETINGS

Should a new society have any difficulty in obtaining speakers for its meetings, the Federation is often in a position to help with names and addresses and topics of local interest. Some societies exchange programmes and some ideas can be gained from B.B.C. Radio Cornwall and local newspapers. Members’ Evenings are very useful for the exchange of news and local information, and Recorders are able to gain much help with their work

PLACE OF OLD CORNWALL SOCIETIES

Since the formation of the first society in 1920, Old Cornwall societies have made a very significant contribution to Cornish life and to the local history research of Cornwall. They have always been concerned to work closely, not only with the Gorsedd, but with other organisations promoting things Cornish. The aims of founder members were to make sure that all recordings of local history were clearly related to grass-roots level. The great interest in local history is often due to the work of the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies. There are many keen "exiles" whose work has taken them away from Cornwall who are more alive to the character of our land than some of those who live within the County. The Federation is in contact with many groups, both here and overseas, and some of them are affiliated to the Federation. The County owes a great deal to these societies for their work on folklore, dialect and the Cornish language. Those who leave Cornwall for any reason may find friendship by joining existing Cornish Associations, or by forming new ones, and keeping Old Cornwall ideals to the fore. Some of the strongest Cornish Associations are those in parts of the world where Cornish people have gone to live or work. For those who are unable to join any such group, they can still help by buying the Journal and making it known among their Cornish friends and relatives, both here and overseas.

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The Federation of Old Cornwall Societies is a Registered Charity. No. 247283