In the run up to St Peran's day, the Kernow branch of the League has written once again to all town councils in Cornwall, asking that they consider making 5th March a holiday for their staff.

This is a perennial campaign for the branch and has so far succeeded in persuading six councils throughout Cornwall - including Cornwall's only city council - to make the national saints day an annual holiday for their staff. This year however, due to changes in local government, the branch will be writing to Cornwall Council, instead of the district councils - abolished when the single unitary authority was established in 2009 - to ask if they will also consider making the change. The branch also plans to write to Cornwall's prospective parliamentary candidates in the run up to the general elections in 2010 to ask them about their views on making St Peran's day a national holiday throughout the whole of Cornwall.

The full text of the letter for 2010 can be found below.

"02/02/10

Dear

Dy' goel Sen Peran/Saint Piran's Day Holiday

The list of councils that have now chosen to make Dydh Sen Peran/Saint Piran's Day a holiday has grown again since this time last year.

A large number of town councils throughout debated the issue in 2009 and a number set up working groups to investigate the cost implications. This consequently resulted in St Columb Town Council, Hayle Town Council and St Blaise Town Council voting to make the 5th March a holiday for all their staff.

After last year there are now five councils who have made the positive decision to make St Piran's Day a holiday for their staff. This shows that the number of councils who are prepared to recognise Cornwall's cultural distinctiveness is growing on a yearly basis. (In 2008 Truro City Council and Penzance Town Council decided make the day a holiday and in 2006 Bodmin Town Council was the first to take the step.)

In addition we were informed last year that two other town councils were considering making the 5th March a holiday for their staff in 2010.

As I have done in previous years, I am now writing to all town councils in Cornwall, including Cornwall Council, to enquire if they will now consider doing the same in 2010/11. I will also be writing to all prospective parliamentary candidates to ask them what their stance is on the matter. May I also remind you that all five of Cornwall's Members of Parliament now support the campaign to make Dydh Sen Peran/St Piran Day a public holiday.

By making 5th March an annual holiday for your staff you will be showing the public that you support the distinctiveness of Cornwall and are prepared to celebrate this increasingly important event in Cornwall's cultural calendar.

I would appreciate it if you could inform us if your council discusses this matter and the decision that is subsequently taken. Also if the council decides not to discuss this matter, could you please let us know why this decision was taken.

Many thanks in advance and I will look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely"

This article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League. For follow-up comment or clarification contact:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884 M: 0044(0)7787318666 rhisiart.talebot [at] ... gensec [at] ...

Issued by the Director of Information Celtic League

11/02/10