At the Annual General Meeting of Agan Tavas (Our Language), Peter Burton of Truro received the society’s literary award for original writing in Cornish from retiring chairman Clive Baker of Camborne.

It was presented for Peter’s short story ‘Kyti’. The award is dedicated to the memory of Michael Palmer of Saltash who was a prolific writer of original stories in Cornish. More recently, as a result of a legacy from the late Craig Weatherhill, the society has been able to add a monetary reward.

Clive drew attention to the society’s publication of ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ in Cornish during the past year. At the meeting Matt Blewett, a local historian living at Four Lanes, was elected as the new chairman.

Matt signalled his intention to celebrate the life of John Rosewarne of Camborne in June as part of memorial events for leaders of the 1497 uprising against the illegal taxes of Henry VII. Information about John Rosewarne can be found here. The intention is to involve local organisations around Camborne.

Members present agreed to continue with the campaign to have a plaque mounted in Truro Cathedral near the window dedicated to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, amongst others, as part of the Church’s policy ‘Contested Heritage in Cathedrals and Churches’.

A suitably worded plaque might have on it - “During the time of Miles Coverdale and Thomas Cranmer no thought was given to providing a Prayer Book and Bible for those Cornish men and women who spoke no English. The first printed full Bible in Cornish was published in 2011.”

The society is looking forward to organising a number of events during the year including lectures in Cornish and trips out.