Festivities celebrate Cornish ties

MARCH is not only the time to enjoy the city’s iconic begonias, but also to engage with the Cornish heritage of many residents.

The Ballarat branch of the Cornish Association of Victoria is coordinating a St Piran’s Festival to coincide with the national day of Cornwall, St Piran’s Day on Thursday, 5 March.

Robyn Coates, a member of the branch, said St Piran is the patron saint of Cornwall, and the day is passionately celebrated annually by those around the globe within the “Cornish diaspora.

“There are many, many Ballarat residents whose ancestry dates back to Cornwall,” she said. “We have been busy preparing for the festival to be held during the Begonia Festival.

“The festivities begin on Thursday, 5 March when a flag raising ceremony will be held in front of the Ballarat Town Hall in Victoria Square at 11am.”

The Skipton Street Uniting Church Hall will then welcome visitors to enjoy a Cornish pasty lunch and “afternoon of Cornishness.” Displays of notable Ballarat Cornish people will be up and family history research is on offer.

“A coach tour of Creswick will be held on Friday, 6 March, and on Saturday, 7 March there will be a Bardic Ceremony held in the South Gardens at 2.30pm, with a St Piran’s Dinner in the evening,” Mrs Coates said.

The Bardic Ceremony will be Australia’s 34th Assembly of Bards of the Gorsedh Kernow.

“Gorsedh means a Bardic assembly and Kernow is the Cornish word for Cornwall. Since the inception of Gorsedh Kernow in 1928 at Boscawen Un, near St Buryan in Cornwall, well over a thousand bards have been created, of which more than half are still alive,” she said.

“Currently there are 46 Australian Bards. Five are associated with the Ballarat branch of the Cornish Association; Wendy Benoit, me, Joy Menhennet, Alison Stephen and Lenice Stuchbery.”

“Bards are encouraged to study and use the Cornish language, and to encourage the study of Cornish history, literature, art, music, sport and related subjects, and the publication of works on such subjects,” Mrs Coates said.

Each Bard receives a Cornish name connected to their birthplace, and vocation or work. Wendy Benoit is Gweresores Dhe Lies or Helper of Many, and Lenice Stuchbery is Myrgh Porthia Ha Kea, the daughter of St Ives and Kea.

Joy Menhennet is Benneth Lowen or Joyous Blessing, and Robyn Coates is Riyas Nerthek, the Energetic Giver.

After a Heritage Worship Service at Skipton Street Uniting Church at 10am on Sunday, 8 March, Max Duthie will discuss the significance of Mount Pleasant before a group tours the Mount Pleasant Trail.

“A farewell gathering will be held on the Sunday evening. All are welcome to attend all, or some, of the planned activities, particularly those who have a Cornish heritage,” Mrs Coates said.

“Councillor Mark Harris, who has a Cornish heritage, will be representing the City of Ballarat at both the flag raising ceremony and the Bardic Ceremony. We anticipate visitors from across Australia.”

Contact Robyn Coates for more information on 0419 551 320 or via [email protected].