The 2018 Smales Lecture: What it is to be Cornish

We welcome you to our 2018 Smales Lecture by Mr Mike Morris. Join us at 19:30 for a glass of wine, before the Lecture starting at 20:00.

What it is to be Cornish

Compared with many other parts of the British Isles, the natural environment of much of Cornwall has remained unchanged for years while the process of urbanisation has had a growing impact in specific areas. Is it possible that such contrasts will influence the nature of the local residents? As change is always with us, is it possible to identify the factors which are responsible and to recognise the effects on our population?

Our speaker is “Cornish born and bred”, will use his own lifetime experiences to illustrate the lecture. Mike has spent most of his life working in local secondary schools where he was a physical education and geography teacher.  He continues to be a keen sportsman in the local rugby, cricket and tennis clubs and likes to travel when time allows.

The Paul Smale’s Lecture
 
The first Paul Smale’s lecture was given in 1994 in memory of a man who made a great contribution to many Cornish institutions and was a friend of this Society.
 
Paul was a barrister whose bardic name Map Trevethan celebrated his birthplace and his family’s business and civic involvement in the town. He was a very active member of the London Cornish Association, helping to establish the Trelawney lectures. The Paul Smales’ medallion is awarded annually at the Gorsedh to someone living outside Cornwall who has given notable service to the County.
 
Paul was active in the setting up of the Cornish Heritage Trust and at his suggestion the Cornish Music and Literary Guilds were created. He was a poet in English and Cornish. He set up the first Barristers Chambers in Cornwall for 40 years. But five months later he died as a result of an illness contracted in India while visiting a hospital charity with which he was involved.
 
The purpose of the lectures is to remember Paul and his contribution to Cornwall.