MPs call for Cornish public holiday
Cornwall’s five Liberal Democrat MPs have called for St Piran’s Day to be made a public holiday.
North Cornwall MP, Dan Rogerson, has tabled a House of Commons motion welcoming a move by Bodmin Town Council to make the day a staff holiday. MPs are now signing up to signal their support for Cornwall’s “unique heritage, language, culture and aspirations”.
There will be celebrations across Cornwall on March 5th, including a St Piran's Day Walk, from Bude Surf Life Saving Club, ending with a performance from a Cornish folk band at the Tree Inn, Stratton in the evening.
Commenting, Dan Rogerson said:
“Bodmin Town Council are leading the way. Now it’s time for everyone to get St Piran’s Day as their day to enjoy Cornwall.
“After all, national bank holidays usually mean large numbers of visitors descend on our towns and villages. Of course, they’re more than welcome but it means that many Cornish people can’t have the day off because they’re involved in the tourist trade one way or another.”
Andrew George, MP for the West Cornwall constituency of St Ives and the Isles of Scilly added:
“We’re hard working and resourceful. We’re also an enterprising people and we can afford to reward ourselves for our distinctiveness. We’re letting ourselves down if we cannot find time to celebrate the Cornishness of Cornwall. If we want Cornwall to stand out, then we should stand up and say so.”
Note to Editors:
On St Piran’s Day, Dan Rogerson will be joining the procession of school-children through Bodmin and then speaking afterwards on Mount Folly. Contact his office for further details.
