Penryn Fair Day

My, sadly lacking, knowledge of Cornish history was improved by listening to the Grand Bard's presentation about the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 at the prelude to Penryn Fair Day.

Congratulations to the organising committee for Saturday's excellent day.

A note for your diary: the Gorsedd comes to Penryn in 2013.


Prayer Book Rebellion:

www.cornwallgb.com/cornwall_england_howard.html      www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1192787

Gorsedd:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorsedd   gorsethkernow.org.uk/english/about.htm

School: Term Times

My initial research has established the following.

The school year, of three terms, was established in 1875 and with just a few minor changes has broadly remained unaltered since then.  It's initial design included recognition that many children would be involved in harvesting crops.

The current arrangements act to the educational disadvantage of children, particular those from poorer families, as reading and numeracy skills fall during long periods whilst away from school, such as the current six weeks summer holiday.

There are various proposals to both shorthen the summer holiday and increase the time that children spend at school.  One that I have come across proposes a five term year with each term of about nine weeks.  This would increase the total time at school from the present 42 weeks to nearer 45 weeks per year.  The summer holiday would reduce to 3 weeks.

This is only the start of my enquiries as there are many other factors to be addressed including:

1. the extent of the educational disadvantage created by the current structure,
2. how any additional schoolling would be funded,
3. the opportunity for parents and carers to take children out of school, during term time, for holidays.

Poverty

I'm very pleased that Cornwall Council's Children, Education and Families Scrutiny Committee has decided to carry out an in-depth review of deprivation and children's poverty.  Cornwall and its people suffer greatly from poverty.  That is not just financial poverty resulting from low wages (in inself a reflection of an inbalance betweeen low and high skilled jobs) but also, more importantly, poverty of aspiration.  That lack of aspiration is clearly not universal.  However the positive areas of progress do not mask the continuing real need for major improvements.

Some individuals will find this lack of aspiration difficult to accept.  Some may not realise what they can achieve.  Some may choose to deny it.  However the evidence indicates that part of Cornwall's progress, towards achieving acceptable living standards and well being for all of its population, does require major and effective changes to be pout in place.

The Coalition Government has, quite rightly, maintained the previous Government's target of eradicating children's poverty by 2020.  Ten years seems like a long time.  It is not in the context of what needs to be done particularly as it should be done sooner rather than later.

The councillors involved in this review will take evidence from a variety of sources including some organisations and individuals deeply involved in the subject.  However anyone who has any thoughts, ideas or suggestions on this topic is invited to contact me; 01872 865407 or chridgers@cornwall.gov.gov.uk

Spending Cuts

The coming weeks, leading up to and just after the Coalition Government's Spending Review, due on 22 October will be demanding on councillors as they seek to influence the Cornwall Council Cabinet's views on where the spending cuts should fall.  Whilst the Cabinet will develop proposals the approval of or change to the Cabinet's proposals are in the hands of all councillors who will vote on the proposed budget.

Of course until the Coalition Government publish their spending details it can only be a matter of estimation and informed opinion as to the size of cuts which will be required in Cornwall.

Within this activity the role of the four scrutiny committees in Cornwall Council, to review the details of the proposed budget, will be pivotal. 

Whilst members of the public have had opportunity to influence Goverment policy - http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ - there is a further, and local, set of opportunities to make your views known by asking questions of the scrutiny committees. 

Lib Dem Defection

Forget about Charles Kennedy.

The obvious big fish, to wake up and smell the coffee, is Nick Clegg.

Cornish Holidays

Have just experienced a few days of 'holidaying at home' and attempting to see Cornwall through the eyes of tourists.  The following are my personal highlights:

Walking from St Just to Sennen Cove along the coastal path; passed only five people

Gwennap Pit (and the very knowledgeable volunteer guide)

Portreath pasty