CONVENER OF CORNWALL BRANCH OF THE CELTIC LEAGUE MEETS WITH ANTI RACISM CAMPAIGNER
The Convener of the Cornwall Branch of the Celtic League, Mike Chappell, has met for cordial discussions with Samuel Farmer, co-ordinator of the Hope Project in Cornwall and heard first hand of the racial abuse suffered whilst Mr Farmer was working on a youth project in St. Agnes.
In 2012 and after enduring years of racism in the village where Samuel runs a youth project, the barn where he stored equipment and personal belongings was razed to the ground in a crime recorded by the police as a racially aggravated arson attack.
The fire destroyed £70,000 of canoes, surfboards, musical instruments and his partner’s artwork.
This was especially surprising as some of the offensive and criminal behaviour was directed by some not only towards Samuel but towards the young people of inland Cornish towns he had occupied in adventure training at his facility.
After hearing of the racism endured by Mr Farmer, Mike expressed his horror and explained that down the years, he had also endured racist and derogatory comments as a Cornishman and had been denied his right to that identity and that these comments and many others recorded by other Cornish people had been submitted to Westminster and European authorities in the run up to the announcement that the Cornish people were to be recognised as a National Minority and to be included in the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
It was also established that many of the racist comments and actions aimed at Mr Farmer were not made by Cornish people but by people who had moved from elsewhere to Cornwall and made the Duchy their home.
Remarkably, both agreed that Cornwall could achieve so much more given increased political power and that local empowerment and self government would be a positive move when compared to the current, unsatisfactory direct rule from far away Westminster.
Samuel, a well qualified outdoor pursuits instructor, was born in Toxteth, Liverpool, in 1965 to an English mother and an African-American father, and grew up on one of the worst streets in the area. His partner of 24 years, Carla, is an experienced teacher.
Despite their experiences so far, both are keen to embrace Cornish and Celtic culture, heritage and language and Mr Farmer has even stated that despite the misinterpretation of Padstow’s ‘Darkie Day’ as racist by some distant Westminster politicians, in fact it is not and is based on ancient Cornish traditions.
After agreeing to work together to enhance communications between the Cornish and other ethnic communities, Mike Chappell said, “It has been my distinct pleasure to meet up with Samuel and his partner who are inspirational people. I am Cornish by all which qualifies me as such. I am proud to be a member of the Celtic League which was one of those NGO’s which campaigned with others towards the formal recognition of the Cornish people. Our organisation will work with anyone towards a better, fairer, more democratic and equal Cornwall , no matter what their skin colour, ethnicity, nationality or identity. Our organisation condemns racism and right wing political organisations which encourage such. As members of a distinct and now legally recognised National Minority whose people have suffered at the hands of larger groups, we can empathise with Mr Farmer and strive towards shared aims and objectives. Samuel and Carla have some excellent ideas and we must support their ambitions for the betterment of Cornwall. The Cornish are inclusive and welcoming, especially of those who show respect to our ancient, recognised and pre England heritage."
Links:
Hope Project: http://www.the-hope-project.co.uk/
Western Morning News report of arson: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Race-hate-campaign-ended-arson-attack/story-14401092-detail/story.html
Paper by Dr Merv Davey regarding 'Darkie Day': http://www.an-daras.com/w_cornishfolk/Guizing%20-%20Ancient%20Traditions%20and%20Modern%20Sensitivities.pdf
Celtic League website: http://www.celticleague.net/
[email protected]
The Convener of the Cornwall Branch of the Celtic League, Mike Chappell, has met for cordial discussions with Samuel Farmer, co-ordinator of the Hope Project in Cornwall and heard first hand of the racial abuse suffered whilst Mr Farmer was working on a youth project in St. Agnes.
In 2012 and after enduring years of racism in the village where Samuel runs a youth project, the barn where he stored equipment and personal belongings was razed to the ground in a crime recorded by the police as a racially aggravated arson attack.
The fire destroyed £70,000 of canoes, surfboards, musical instruments and his partner’s artwork.
This was especially surprising as some of the offensive and criminal behaviour was directed by some not only towards Samuel but towards the young people of inland Cornish towns he had occupied in adventure training at his facility.
After hearing of the racism endured by Mr Farmer, Mike expressed his horror and explained that down the years, he had also endured racist and derogatory comments as a Cornishman and had been denied his right to that identity and that these comments and many others recorded by other Cornish people had been submitted to Westminster and European authorities in the run up to the announcement that the Cornish people were to be recognised as a National Minority and to be included in the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
It was also established that many of the racist comments and actions aimed at Mr Farmer were not made by Cornish people but by people who had moved from elsewhere to Cornwall and made the Duchy their home.
Remarkably, both agreed that Cornwall could achieve so much more given increased political power and that local empowerment and self government would be a positive move when compared to the current, unsatisfactory direct rule from far away Westminster.
Samuel, a well qualified outdoor pursuits instructor, was born in Toxteth, Liverpool, in 1965 to an English mother and an African-American father, and grew up on one of the worst streets in the area. His partner of 24 years, Carla, is an experienced teacher.
Despite their experiences so far, both are keen to embrace Cornish and Celtic culture, heritage and language and Mr Farmer has even stated that despite the misinterpretation of Padstow’s ‘Darkie Day’ as racist by some distant Westminster politicians, in fact it is not and is based on ancient Cornish traditions.
After agreeing to work together to enhance communications between the Cornish and other ethnic communities, Mike Chappell said, “It has been my distinct pleasure to meet up with Samuel and his partner who are inspirational people. I am Cornish by all which qualifies me as such. I am proud to be a member of the Celtic League which was one of those NGO’s which campaigned with others towards the formal recognition of the Cornish people. Our organisation will work with anyone towards a better, fairer, more democratic and equal Cornwall , no matter what their skin colour, ethnicity, nationality or identity. Our organisation condemns racism and right wing political organisations which encourage such. As members of a distinct and now legally recognised National Minority whose people have suffered at the hands of larger groups, we can empathise with Mr Farmer and strive towards shared aims and objectives. Samuel and Carla have some excellent ideas and we must support their ambitions for the betterment of Cornwall. The Cornish are inclusive and welcoming, especially of those who show respect to our ancient, recognised and pre England heritage."
Links:
Hope Project: http://www.the-hope-project.co.uk/
Western Morning News report of arson: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Race-hate-campaign-ended-arson-attack/story-14401092-detail/story.html
Paper by Dr Merv Davey regarding 'Darkie Day': http://www.an-daras.com/w_cornishfolk/Guizing%20-%20Ancient%20Traditions%20and%20Modern%20Sensitivities.pdf
Celtic League website: http://www.celticleague.net/
[email protected]