There are some who believe that Cornwall is just another English County, but they are very wrong. At the very least Cornwall is a Duchy and many Cornishmen will contend that the Cornish are an ancient Celtic race who are nothing whatsoever to do with the English. Some have even been campaigning for Cornish independence for many years. So If you don’t mind I will work on the basis the Cornwall is my Country.
There are so many things that make up the unique Cornish identity and a mere six photos just don’t come close to capturing it all.
We have a very rich maritime history based around centuries of fishing. Tales of smugglers and wreckers abound and you can’t go too far in Cornwall without bumping into a swashbuckling pirate or two.
We also have a long history of mining including almost every type of mineral you could imagine, Tin Copper, Gold, Silver, China Clay etc. This dates back to pre-Christian times when the Cornish used to trade copper and tin with the ancient Greeks and the Romans. It is said that Joseph of Aramathea (Jesus’s Uncle) visited regularly for trade purposes and on one occasion brought his young nephew with him. Blake’s Jerusalem is in fact a song about that very visit.
The Cornish were at the forefront of technology during the industrial revolution. With many key developments in the history of the steam engine taking place here in Cornwall, not least of which was the invention of the steam locomotive by Richard Trethethick…… (And you thought it was Stephenson and his Rocket didn’t you.)
We also have a huge wealth of myths, legends and folklore from ancient Celtic saints, King Arthur, giants, witches, fairies and piskies. our rugged moorland is littered with ancient standing stones and historic sites It really is a land of ancient myth and magic.
These days we are more famous for our Cornish pasties, scrummy fudge, clotted cream and mind bending scrumpy which are consumed in vast quantities by our regular visitors. With the sad decline of the mining and fishing industries in recent years, tourism has become our main industry…… People flock here every summer for the slower pace of life, the magic that seems to ooze out of the ancient granite and slate rocks, the stunning scenery, the rugged coastlines and picturesque fishing villages, the feeling that you are in a land that time has forgotten all about. So do come and visit us and spend lots of money……. As that is pretty much all that is keeping us going at present. But do take warning.... we do have a sub tropical climate down here..... however, the down side of that is that it rains quite lot. We call it Cornish liquid sunshine. :)
The Maine coasts has a lot that is similar to Cornish which is why I enjoy following you. I posted today my picture of the lobster boats which remind me of your fishing boats. I got out early to beat the tourists.
I hoped you would enter my challenge! I know how proud you are of Cornwall and all it has to offer and with a limited 6 photos I think you've summed it up! Can you post it onto the thread to keep that 'live' and so others can be motivated by the entries. :-)
Wow that's quite a screed for you! (Do you have prates or Pirates - btw?) If it's any comfort, for a long time we have felt that Cornwall is definitely not part of England :-) Worlds apart.
@cottiac Well spotted. Us dyslexic pirates are not renowned for our spelling abilities..... The last time I signed my name with an X I spelt it with a Y. :)
@jesperani Ah Northumberland.... another Celtic stronghold. I spent a lot of time in Newcastle as a kid as my Gandad was a miner in the North Walbotle colliery. :)
@cottiac Well spotted. Us dyslexic pirates are not renowned for our spelling abilities..... The last time I signed my name with an X I spelt it with a Y. :)