Mr Tremayne’s addendum is not quite right. Firstly, £1.3m over 8 years = £162k per annum. Slightly less dramatic when put like that.

Secondly, the Government has provided sums on an ad hoc basis to both support development of the language (since its inclusion by the Government in the Charter for Regional & Minority Languages),and, further sums to assist in various developmental works associated with the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (the Cornish were included by the UK Government in 2014).. Cornwall Council has contributed sums to this, including th costs of staff time. Much of the work is done through contracts by Cornish compannies. It is work which attracts international attention.

It would be fairer to say that a partnership of UK Government and Cornwall Council has spent about £162k per annum for the past 8 years.

Cornish is far from dead – it is actively spoken socially, and is in evidence all about us, to an increasing extent.

Years ago, in campainging for inclusion under the Framework Convention, I met a Government Minister with Kervin Lavery, the former Council CEO, and a Geordie. He looked down the table when asked why the Government should make this inclusion. Mr Lavery said: ‘Because its good for business!’

If Cornwall is to be successful, and to be a contributor to UK plc in future, then fulfilled self-confident people need to have a culture and identity which stands out in an ever-more competitive world – £1.3m over 8 years is nowhere near enoguh, although it has spurred on even greater voluntary effort. It is an investment which will pay dividends in many ways for future generations.