West Cornwall has recently lost two of our finest residents. In April Ann Jenkin passed away. Ann (Mrs Jenkin at the time) was one of my teachers and introduced me to the Cornish language. She has said since that I was not her finest pupil and she’d be right, but Ann introduced me to our culture and heritage in a way that no other teacher had (and possibly could). I enjoyed trips away to join other Cornish language students, joined the first cohort to ever sit a Cornish Language GCSE and took part in plays with other schools strictly in Cornish only - the most memorable was the Enormous Turnip. Ann was very kind to my sister at school who suffered from epilepsy and struggled in mainstream education and I’m grateful to have happened upon Mrs Jenkins from time to time in her home village, Leedstown, since leaving school. Ann Jenkin was the first ever female Grand Bard and her contribution to Cornish culture and language is exceptional. Dawn Maddern passed away very recently and was a friend. I first met Dawn at the YMCA when I served as a Board Member for YMCA Cornwall. She was sincere, great fun and had been involved in youthwork in various forms (including singing) for decades. She enjoyed many jobs, had been a keen and competent hockey player and I admired her most for her work supporting young carers across Cornwall. She had a deep compassion and a solid belief in the goodness in others. We are poorer with the loss of both Ann and Dawn and I extend my thoughts and deepest sympathy to their families.
On Sunday we remembered fishermen lost at sea at the first formal National Memorial Day in the UK. Our service took place at the fishermen’s memorial in Newlyn and it was good to take time to listen as the name of every fisherman lost at sea was read out. It reminded us of the tragedy that is inflicted on their families when they fail to return home. The Fishermen’s Mission organised our local service and it was helpful to be reminded of the significant but often untold work that the Mission undertakes day in and day out to support fishermen and their families in any way necessary.
Last Wednesday I was excused from Parliament to take part in Flora Day. I was pleased to have the opportunity to dance in the midday dance and to be reunited with past friends who come home to Cornwall for Flora Day. Helston was absolutely packed with people, and we lapped up the favourable weather, array of colour both in dresses and foliage. Flora Day is an extraordinary example of community strength, and it must be one of the best supported celebrations in our calendars. I pay credit to the Flora Day Association once again for their commitment to making the day bigger and better as each year passes. Their work increases year on year, as does the cost, but they plough on undeterred.
