WITH St Piran's Flag
flying proudly from the church tower, members
St James the Great Parish Church, Kilkhampton
by kind invitation of the Rev Peter Abel.
As the congregation sang the opening hymn, the Society's Banner was paraded, carried by Gerald Fry and escorted by Jenny and Dennis Balsdon. This hymn, especially chosen, usually lists seven saints in the chorus, but on this occasion had been adapted to include thirty-three Cornish Saints!
Readings with a Cornish theme were given. Raymond Bale read Rev R S Hawker's poem on 'The Figurehead of the Caledonia'. Raymond Shaddick presented 'Piran's People', which he read as a tribute to Jowan an Cleth, John Bolitho, late President of the Society and past Grand Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd. President Molly Rose gave an insight into the history and the hoped for return of the Cornish Chough. Owen May spoke of St Piran and the legends which surround the Saint and Gloria Helson-Street read her own poem about St Piran.
Once again members are indebted to Michael Richardson, the organist, for 'pulling out all the stops, for before the service he played a selection of well-loved Cornish music which set the mood for everyone to participate in his stirring interpretations of 'Hail to the Homeland', 'Sons of Cornwall Rise and Sing', and all the Allelluias to the Saints, inspiring the
congregation to sing their very best. The service ended in the best tradition with a hearty rendition of Trelawny.
Previously, on St Piran's Day, several members had joined the annual
St. Piran's Day walk
organised by the
Bude Surf Life Saving Club, which started from Crooklets, setting off to the sound of bagpipes playing Trelawny. The walk took everyone along the cliff path, across Summerleaze Beach to the Lock Gates, along the Lower Wharf of the Canal, across Nanny Moore's Bridge and back over Summerleaze Down, arrriving back just as the sun was setting over the sea, beautiful in the evening light.