Cowethas Flamank

Corporate body

Cowethas Flamank

Cowethas Flamank is an independent, non-political organisation, founded in 1969, which conducts research into Cornish current affairs and the culture of Cornwall. Its name has been derived from Thomas Flamank, leader with Michael Joseph An Gof, of the 1497 Cornish Host. The group advances no collective policies, but it exists with the more general aim of raising awareness of Cornish culture, politics and society, both within Britain and internationally.

Members are responsible for financing their own research or for applying for funding in the case of larger projects. They may work individually or in teams, under the co-ordination of an administrator, who also maintains official records and correspondence files, and who acts as spokesperson when necessary. Previous projects have included the study of developments in local government relevant to Cornwall, participation in a local music festival, liaison with the European parliament on political matters affecting Cornwall, and support for Ethiopian prisoners with Cornish connections.

Cowethas Flamank produces a quarterly newsletter written by and for its members, entitled Kevren-Link. Since 1983 the group has also organised and hosted weekend conferences, held twice yearly at Perranporth, under the title 'Kescusulyans Kernow' or 'Conference on Cornwall'. The nature of the subjects typically debated include education in Cornwall; Cornwall and the Constitution; the Celtic Film Festival; tourism; the role of the media; the Cornish economy; youth and sport; local government planning; Cornish cultural affairs; the question of Cornwall and devolution. Working parties may be commissioned from members at the conference, when a particular topic is considered to merit further investigation and action. One example of a working group is the Cornish Bureau for European Relations (CoBER), established in 1987. Other debates or lectures have centred around the destruction of moorland landscape, railway transport in Cornwall, the work of the Cornish Heritage Trust and the Cornish language. Cowethas Flamank has played an active part in the modification of a government proposal to abolish Cornish Railways. The organisation has a Cornish representative in the EEC-funded Lesser-Used Language Bureau, and it reports regularly on European political and cultural matters relevant to Cornwall.