Federation of Old Cornwall Societies

Federation of Old Cornwall Societies
Name	Federation of Old Cornwall Societies
Formation	1924
Headquarters	Cornwall
Region served	Cornwall
Focus	Cornish culture, heritage, traditions

Federation of Old Cornwall Societies

The Federation of Old Cornwall Societies is a Cornish cultural organisation founded in 1924 to promote Cornish identity, heritage, and traditions across Cornwall and among the Cornish diaspora. It engages with local history, language revival, rural customs, and community commemoration through events, publications, and collaboration with museums, archives, and academic institutions.

History

The Federation traces roots to interwar initiatives that aligned with figures and movements such as Henry Jenner, A. C. P. Polwhele (note: earlier local antiquarians), John Hobson Matthews, Charles Henderson (historian), and societies including the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Camborne School of Mines alumni, and the Cornish Language Board. Early contacts linked the Federation to personalities associated with Gorsedh Kernow, Kernewek Kemmyn, An Gof, and the revivalist milieu around D. G. J. Griffiths. The Federation developed alongside organisations such as The National Trust, English Heritage, Royal Cornwall Museum, Tate St Ives, and local parish councils influenced by the work of Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch and scholars at University of Exeter. Postwar relationships connected it to community initiatives like Cornwall County Council cultural programs, partnerships with Truro Cathedral, and exchanges with the Cornish diaspora in places such as Australia, Canada, and United States. Over decades the Federation engaged with national movements represented by Historic England, Unesco, Council of Europe, and heritage campaigns associated with figures like John Betjeman and institutions such as English Heritage and National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty advocates.

Organization and Structure

The Federation operates as a loose confederation of local societies modeled on voluntary associations like Women’s Institute, National Trust, and local history groups similar to the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. Governance involves elected officers comparable to chairpersons in organisations such as BBC Trust predecessors and committees akin to those at Royal Geographical Society, with roles for secretaries, treasurers, and archivists resembling positions at British Museum and Bodleian Library. It liaises with statutory bodies including Cornwall Council and collaborates with museums such as Penzance Museum, Royal Cornwall Museum, and academic departments at University of Plymouth and University of Exeter. The Federation’s structure mirrors federated models found in National Trust regional branches, Historic Houses Association, and heritage networks like Association of European Border Regions.

Activities and Programs

The Federation organises events such as seasonal celebrations, memorials, and local commemorations comparable to ceremonies at St Michael’s Mount, Bodmin Jail, and parish festivals like those at Padstow and St Ives. Programs include oral history projects akin to the British Library Sounds initiative, guided walks similar to efforts by Ramblers' Association, and archaeology liaison reflecting practices of the Council for British Archaeology. Educational outreach parallels work by the National Literacy Trust and local school partnerships like those between Falmouth University and community groups. The Federation maintains involvement in folk traditions and music related to Cornish wrestling, Obby Oss, and collaborations with performers linked to Ewan MacColl-era folk revivalists, linking to festivals such as Gorsedh Kernow and venues like Minack Theatre.

Cultural and Heritage Preservation

Conservation efforts engage with churchyard restoration projects resembling initiatives by Churches Conservation Trust and promote vernacular architecture preservation in the spirit of campaigns by The Georgian Group and Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. The Federation’s work intersects with Cornish language revival efforts alongside Kernewek, Gorsedh Kernow, Cornish Language Partnership, and linguists connected to University of Exeter projects. It supports archaeological recording similar to activities of Historic England and regional leads like Cornwall Archaeological Unit, and it contributes to safeguarding ritual customs comparable to English Folk Dance and Song Society interests. The Federation has advocated for recognition of Cornish identity in legal and political contexts addressed by bodies such as Cornwall Council and campaigns echoing themes from Devolution referendums and cultural minority protections promoted by Council of Europe instruments.

Publications and Communications

The Federation publishes newsletters, local histories, and guides analogous to outputs from Victorian County Histories, county record societies like Devon and Cornwall Record Society, and journals similar to The Cornishman and Cornish Studies. Communications include bulletins distributed to members and contributions to periodicals such as The West Briton, The Packet, Cornwall Today, and academic journals hosted by University of Exeter Press. Archival deposits often mirror collections at Cornwall Record Office and exchanges with repositories like British Library and National Archives (UK). The Federation’s publications document place-names, antiquities, and folklore connecting to works by Sabine Baring-Gould and William Bottrell.

Membership and Chapters

Membership comprises local societies and individuals with chapters in parishes and towns comparable to branches of National Trust and civic groups in places like Falmouth, Penzance, St Austell, Redruth, Truro, Bodmin, Camborne, Helston, Liskeard, Launceston, Newquay, Padstow, St Ives, Marazion, Mousehole, Perranporth, Mevagissey, Tintagel, Bude, Hayle, Saltash, Tregony, Callington, Saltash, St Columb Major, and Wadebridge. International contacts reflect Cornish communities in Cornish diaspora hubs such as Murdochville-era settlers in Canada, Australia Cornish associations in South Australia, and expatriate networks in the United States and Mexico mining settlements like Redruth (Australia). Membership models resemble those of Historical Associations and local branches of Royal British Legion or Friends of the Earth in volunteer governance and community engagement.

Category:Cornwall