Kernow Matters To You - Cornwall’s Newest Campaigning Organisation

Media Release - Kernow Matters To You

Cornwall’s newest campaigning organisation was launched on the first day of the Celtic New Year, Sunday November 1st, 2015 following a packed meeting held in Redruth.

Known as ‘Kernow Matters To Us’, the group gathered and elected a steering group of eight people and adopted a written constitution before appointing  a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

A written ‘mission statement’ was agreed upon as ‘To ensure that every Cornish person is represented to decision makers, and is healthy, housed, educated and safe.’

After that, a written ‘vision statement’ was set:

A Cornwall where Cornish people have a voice and are listened to.

A Cornwall where Cornish people are not second class citizens.

A Cornwall where Cornish people have access to suitable housing.

A Cornwall where Cornish people have access to suitable health and social
services.

A Cornwall where Cornish people actively learn about their own culture and
history.

A Cornwall where Cornish people are represented on diversity committees and
where the police take action against those who commit hate motivated crimes
against Cornish people.

Following on from the inclusion of the Cornish into the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, ‘Kernow Matters To Us’ or ‘KMTU’ as it is known by its growing membership believes that Cornish
people should be respected, canvassed, considered and represented in all decisions relating to Cornwall, and decisions should not be made by outside authorities on our behalf, particularly and especially without our knowledge.

Goals include:

Explicit representation of the Cornish minority on decision making bodies.

That representative needs to be approved by the Cornish minority.

Advice and support networks specifically targeted for Cornish people.

Adoption of a new housing policy.

Identify and fill gaps in Cornwall’s health and social provision.

50% of Cornwall’s population can speak some Cornish and are informed of Cornwall’s heritage and culture.

Explicit representation of the Cornish minority on diversity committees.

On being elected as Secretary of the new organisation, Matt Blewett from Four Lanes acknowledged the support drawn from the wide range of people present, unemployed and employed, able bodied and disabled, business people, academics and authors, tradespeople, parents, public service employees and the many
others all of whom were proud to state that Kernow mattered to them and that it was time for personal egos and differences to be set aside and for Cornish people from all over to come together in support of the vision and goals.

Winding up the very business-like meeting before all present joined in light refreshments, Mr Blewett said, ‘The Cornish minority needs to be listened to, and this group seeks to support and promote our identity.’

The group has been formed following many months of informal discussions including on social media, and direct contact is maintained between steering group members.

The group maintains a highly successful and growing Facebook presence known as ‘The Cornish are a Nation’ which is followed by thousands with some postings drawing in excess of 50,000 views and a bank account has been opened at the Kernow Credit Union with individual membership set at £1 as a minimum.

A website may be found at: http://kernowmatterstous.weebly.com/ and the group can currently be contacted via its Facebook site:  
https://www.facebook.com/The-Cornish-are-a-Nation-209032275820775/?ref=hl
or at the email address: kernowmatterstoyou@gmail.com .

A growing Twitter following is at: @kernow_matters
​https://twitter.com/kernow_matters

Donald MacLeod’s painting, Crossing the Tamar: The Cornish Rebellion, shows the army of Michael Joseph 'An Gof' and Thomas Flamank arriving in England over Polson Bridge, near Launceston during 1497 - Compliments of stivesgallery.co.uk