Some of the loudest cries of ’Oggy Oggy Oggy’ have been heard in Bodmin as children celebrate St Piran’s Day.

Some 400 youngsters from the town and surrounding parishes were set to parade to Mount Folly for Cornish dancing, song and speeches.

Meanwhile across the county and in other parts of the world this evening, Cornish men and women will be joining the ’Trelawny Shout’ - this year it’s hoped that 20,000 people will sing the unofficial anthem in unison.

To coincide with St Piran’s Day today, the leader of Cornwall Council has issued an impassioned defence of the Cornish language and identity.

Councillor Julian German has warned that if the UK withdraws from the European Convention of Human Rights, this could not only be bad news for anyone concerned with human rights, it would also erode protections offered to Cornish as a minority language.

’Many will wish each other “Gool Peran Lowen” meaning Happy Feast of St Piran, today,’ said Cllr German.

’The legends of St Piran, his black and white flag and our distinct Cornish language are key components of the unique and separate identity of the Cornish people.

’If the UK did withdraw from the Convention, it will have to leave the Council of Europe. This would deprive the Cornish people and their language of the recognition, respect and protection which the UK’s membership of the Council of Europe provides.

’It took years of campaigning before the UK Government officially recognised the Cornish language and Cornish people,’ he continued.

’We have a rich history and vibrant culture, but there is one thing Cornish people are missing out on that the other UK national minorities have been afforded – a tick-box in the 2021 census to express their identity as Cornish.’

Cllr German is calling for ’Cornish’ to be included along with other new additions to next year’s census forms including ’Asian Welsh’ and ’Black Welsh’.

’It is time that the government extended the same respect to Cornwall with the inclusion of a specific Cornish tick-box.

We have made, and continue to make, great progress in recognising, protecting, promoting and celebrating our Cornish identity and language,’ Cllr German said.

’That progress has come in no small part as a result of the UK’s membership of the Council of Europe.’