Society President and Bard of the Gorsedh Kernow was at the door of St Andrews to Welcome the many members of Bude, Stratton & District Old Cornwall Society, who, on the afternoon of St. Piran’s Day, gathered together to celebrate the patron Saint of Cornwall. The Church bells of Stratton Community were ringing loud and true across fresh blue skies in what was the first such service in two years, due to the Pandemic.
Several, ‘Dydh da’s’ and ‘How are you?’s later, everybody took a pew in anticipation of proceedings, lead with warmth and confidence by Lay Woman Leader, Sheila Waring. Her words and Opening Prayers included a message of ‘Best Wishes’ from Jonathan Howlett, sorry he could not be in attendance; as well as notification that the Event was going to be recorded for posterity. If nobody present had any objection.
Society Banner Bearer, Alan McIntosh, Chairman, was himself unavoidably absent so the hand-stitched symbol of pride, that every branch of the Federation creates individually unto itself, had been set in place, previously.
With bright sunshine streaming in through the coloured windows, the first reading was, ‘Ecclesiasticus Chapter 44, Verses 1-15’, Also known, according to the President’s own research, as the Wisdom of Cyroc. As ever, with the reputable talent of Dafydd Thomas at the organ, live music filled every inch of the Church each time the congregation stood up to sing. One verse delivered in Kernewek – the ancient Cornish language.
Further readings from both Simon Waring and Pat Long, were ‘The History and Legend of St. Piran’ and a poem, by ‘Gloria Street’. Following these, the interceding Sermon included thoughtful and solemn prayers, for all the millions of people caught up in the recent conflict. In this same humanitarian spirit, Ian Saltern, former Trustee of ‘St. Piran’s Trust’ (and Cornish Bard) ended his remarkable speech, concerning extensive knowledge of Uncovering St Piran’s Oratory with the words, ”The last few weeks have shown us all that free expression of people and culture and nationhood is now more important than ever” In closing, local Churchwarden, Diane Ohlson, thanked those who had played a part in making this day possible, and in particular, Rose McIntosh, who prepared a large, traditional Cornish Cream Tea for ‘One and All’ to enjoy.
Remembering those no longer with us, the ‘Song of the Western Men’, written by the Reverend R S Hawker was as always, imparted with some tangible force.
By Helen Bartrop Hocking