Kernow Goth

At our AGM in appreciation of his faithful Old Cornwall Society service over a number of years and by the unanimous wish of the members, Mr Sidney John Neale, MAP PEDHERWYN A’N CLETH, Son of North Petherwin, has been duly elected as a LIFE MEMBER of Launceston Old Cornwall Society.

News Report outlining our Annual General Meeting held on 10th September 2025. :-

Launceston Old Cornwall Society held their Annual General Meeting at the RBL Headquarters in Tower Street, Launceston when good reports were presented by the officers.

Rob Tremain, President outlined what members had been up to and said the trip to Temple and Cardinham Churches were very well supported as was the Town Walk. Members had attended various County events including the Recorders Day at Redruth, the Prayer Book Rebellion Service at Bodmin and more than half the Society attended the Parade and Gorsedh at the spectacular but windy Marazion.

Bill Roberts gave the Treasurers Report and Account Balance Sheet details and said the funds were in a healthy state and there had been a small increase in membership.

John Ellacott, Chairman and Recorder gave members an outline of various changes in the Town, the most dominant being a loss of Lloyds, Santander and Halifax Banking with notice of NatWest in the near future. This along with Society and other Cornwall events attended over the past 12 months, which he later highlighted with his evening laptop presentation.

Kathy Fuge, Secretary gave the detailed minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting, which was accepted by all.

The election of Officers and Committee were: President, Rob Tremain; Chairman and Recorder, John Ellacott; Secretary, Kathy Fuge; Treasurer, Bill Roberts, together with a working Committee, Andrew Lethbridge was elected as our new Banner Bearer, with Rosemary Phillips. Thanks were given to Peter Adams for his previous Banner Bearer duties over the years.

This being our 80th Anniversary Season (1946), marking this occasion, in appreciation of his faithful Old Cornwall Society service over a number of years and by the unanimous wish of the members, Mr Sidney John Neale, MAP PEDHERWYN A’N CLETH, Son of North Petherwin, was duly elected as a LIFE MEMBER of Launceston Old Cornwall Society. John Neale, was our Secretary, who arranged most of our programme events and Recorder for many years, along with contributions to the Old Cornwall Journal and Author to a few Books found on the Bookstall over the years. John is now a resident in Pendruccombe House Care Home.

Review of the Gorsedh at Marazion on 6th September 2025, which can be seen on You Tube, a number of members were thanked who attended the ceremony event on Folly Field, with St Michael's Mount in the background. The Launceston Banner was carried by Andrew Lethbridge in a procession of over 30 Old Cornwall Banners, all holding tight to them in the wind. Rob Tremain was the Sword Bearer and the Chief Steward was Tim Hambly, who the evening before at the Old Cornwall Awards Ceremony was presented with the Mab Hirans - Stephen Gainey award for his work teaching the Cornish Language in Launceston for many years and also as the long time Secretary of the Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek. This had been presented to him by the Grand Bard, Jenefer Lowe. Among the 22 new bards installed was David Downing from Minesota, USA, for promoting the Cornish identity in the USA. He chose for his Bardic name Map Wynn Egloskerri - Grand son of Egloskerry. Remembered in the ceremony was the late Jennifer Blockley of Egloskerry, who was made a Bard at Callington, the year before.

The evening concluded with John’s presentation of events, along with thanks for Members support for the Draw, Pat Tremain’s Cornish Words and to Kathy for our evening refreshments.

Friday 3rd October to Sunday 5th a display of “Scarecrows” was held in St Thomas Church, Launceston. Parish members, Schools and Clubs made this a successful event raising over £400 for Church Funds, along with the chance to advertise our Old Cornwall Society Meetings and what we are all about with our window display, keeping life style traditions alive, with and note about Scarecrows. Three extra people came to our following meeting with Malcolm Wright on his Railways of Cornwall & Devon presentation, just need to wait if they come again.

Monday 6th October picture of John Neale, just given the news he had been awarded at our AGM a Life Membership in our 80th Anniversary Season (1946) of Launceston Old Cornwall Society for his services over many years, on this occasion of his 83rd Birthday at Pendruccome House Care Home, Launceston.websitelauncestonocsupdatedetailsnews_