Kernow Goth – the Old Cornwall movement were the driving force behind the Celto-Cornish revival in early 20th century Cornwall. Their interests and activities ranged from promoting the Cornish language to the preservation of ancient sites and their impact on folk tradition in Cornwall cannot be overstated. As well as recording them for posterity the societies put their shoulder behind customs that were at risk of dying out and revived those that had been all but forgotten. In this Cornish story live we will explore the work of the Old Cornwall Societies in recording, supporting, and reviving folk traditions so that they became part of the distinctive modern Cornish identity.
(This talk is based on the chapter of the same name in “A Uniquely Cornish Concept: the story of the ‘Old Cornwall’ movement 1920 -2020” to be published in Summer 2021)