Kernow/Cornwall: Renewed call for saint Piran's day holiday

In the run up to Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran's Day 2008, the Celtic League is writing once again to all the town councils in Cornwall to request that they discuss the possibility of making 5th March (Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran's Day) a public holiday for their employees.

This will be the third time that the League has written to all Cornish town councils and this time the request will also go out to all of Cornwall's district councils and Cornwall County Council. The League had some success last year, with Truro City Council and Penzance Town Council voting in favour of making - what has become one of Cornwall most prominent and widely celebrated annual national day - Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran's Day a public holiday for their staff. Also in 2008 following a request from the League, St Blaise Town Council discussed the issue at their March full council meeting, but decided that they wanted to wait to see how other council's in Cornwall responded, although stating at the same time they were supportive of the idea.

Now the League wants the councils to reconsider the issue or to discuss the matter for the first time at a full council meeting in 2008. The full text of the letter the League sent to St Blaise Town Council can be found below and below that a copy of the general letter sent to the other councils. The League would like to urge members of the public to write to their town councils with the same request.

«Gaynor Mamo Town Clerk St Blaise Town Council townclerk.stblaise@...

21/01/09

Dear Gaynor Mamo

Dy'goel Sen Pyran/Saint Piran Holiday

As another Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran Day approaches, I am writing to you to ask if St Blaise Town Council will once again consider officially making 5th March a public holiday for council staff.

We appreciate that the town clerk is the only current employee at St Blaise Town Council and that Gaynor Mamo doesn't currently work Thursdays and that the change will not affect her until 2010, but we would nevertheless appreciate it if the Council would consider this option once again.

As you may already be aware, Penzance Town Council and Truro City Council decided in 2008 to officially make Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran Day a holiday for its staff. This now means that there are three Cornish councils (including Bodmin Town Council) who have a public holiday for their staff on Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran Day.

We were encouraged by the earlier remarks of St Blaise Town Council, which discussed making Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran Day a holiday for employees at their March meeting in 2008 and that the Council agreed that they would like to see it come into effect. We would now like to push the Council to decide on this matter once and for all in the light that two more councils have come out in favour of having a Dy'goel Sen Pyran/Saint Piran Day holiday for their staff, and that in 2010 the decision will affect its only staff member.

The Celtic League will now petition all Town Councils in Cornwall again in the run up to Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran Day, to ask them to consider making 5th March a public holiday for their staff in the future. We will also ask all of Cornwall's District Council's and Cornwall County Council to do the same.

We look forward to hearing to hearing from you.

Many thanks in advance

Rhisiart tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League»

Full text of the general letter below sent to all Cornwall's town councils, including all district councils and Cornwall County Council:

«Dear

Dy' goel Sen Pyran/Saint Piran's Day Holiday

As another Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran Day approaches, I am writing to you once again on behalf of the Celtic League to ask if your Council will (re)consider making Saint Piran's Day a holiday for its employee(s) on 5th March.

You may already be aware that last year two more councils in Cornwall, Penzance Town Council and Truro City Council, made Dydh Sen Pyran/Saint Piran Day a holiday for their staff. St Blaise Town Council have also said that they are supportive of making 5th March a holiday and as you know, Bodmin Town Council already made this day a holiday some time ago. Also all five of Cornwall's Members of Parliament now support the campaign to make Dydh sen Pyran/Saint Piran Day a public holiday.

The Celtic League are now writing again to all Town and District Councils in Cornwall, including Cornwall County Council, to enquire if they would be willing to do the same. We would appreciate it if you could inform us if your Council discusses this matter and the decision that is subsequently taken. Also if the Council decides not to discuss this matter, could you please let us know why this decision was taken.

We will look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League»

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 22/01/09