The people of St Keverne and Cornwall as a whole were urged to keep traditions going when villagers gathered for the An Gof commemoration last Thursday.

Cornwall councillor Loveday Jenkin was speaking at the annual tribute to the 15th century Cornish rebellion led by St Keverne blacksmith Michael Joseph - also known as An Gof, the Cornish word for his profession – and Thomas Flamank in 1497.

They led a march on London in protest at what they saw to be an unfair tax levy from Henry VII, but ended up hung, drawn and quartered for their efforts.

St Keverne's continued tribute to their dedication, 522 years on, is one example of the traditions that Ms Jenkin, leader of Mebyon Kernow for seven years during the 1990s, was referring to.

She said: "We remember the sacrifice of everybody and people who went; also the people who keep the memory alive.

"We need to make sure Cornish culture and community can thrive. Every single person can make a difference - every person has a voice.

"Keep traditions going. Build new communities wherever you are. Educate and inform new citizens that they are part of something special."

Earlier, a large group of people gathered by the statue of Michael Joseph and Thomas Flamank at the top of the village, to begin the commemoration in the evening sunshine with the Cornish song Hail to the Homeland.

Falmouth Packet:

Olivia Thornhill and Jacob Richards laid flowers on the statue and a song written about the march, We Remember You, was sung before a procession led by the An Gof Band made its way down to the memorial plaque in the square, below the parish church, for a short service.

It included prayers from Rev Deirdre Mackrill and a wreath was laid, before the the service ended with the singing of Trelawny.

The evening was not over, however, as everyone then moved to the parish hall for music from the An Gof Band, songs from the An Gof Singers and a tribute to the life of Cornish philanthropist John Passmore Edwards.