The Work of Old Cornwall Societies

The Federation has a number of Recorders whose job it is to work in conjunction with the Recorders from each local Society to gather up and record any stray scraps of Cornish dialect, language, local traditions, folklore, and antiquities in their 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 or work in conjunction with others in operating them.

So, to expand on this, the work of Old Cornwall Societies includes:

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.

Registered Charity  No. 247283 

“Safeguarding the past for the future”