Kernow King among ‘Pasty Tax’ marchers
The Kernow King was among pasty tax marchers today despite the lack of support from the weather. Hundreds of people arrived on Falmouth Moor armed with banners, flags and umbrellas to express their anger at proposed plans to add VAT to the Cornish pasty.
After rallying the crowd up with traditional chants and encouraging words Kernow King handed over to the Falmouth Marine Band. The band led marchers through the main street that was heavily lined with shop assistants offering their own support. Many waved flags and cheered from upper windows joining in with sporadic chorus’s of ‘Oggy Oggy Oggy!’
Marchers paused under the arch leading into Events Square to sing a few poignant lines of the Cornish anthem, ‘The Song of the Western Men’, (Trelawny), before coming to stand in the square.
While Kernow King had jokingly suggested marchers were going to ‘storm through the town’, the march was a peaceful one. The shear number and level of voices all joining to chant and sing gave the power needed to express the opposition to the ‘Pasty Tax’.
The Cornish pasty is deeply rooted in Cornwalls culture and heritage and protesters are angered that decisions are being made without consultation. Not only that the Cornish pasty industry makes up one of the largest employers in Cornwall. Adding 20% vat will push the prices up to unrealistic levels leading to knock on effect on employment.
While life may move faster and people appear less engaged with one another today was proof that community spirit is still very much alive in Cornwall. After the march diners from restaurants around the square and visitors to the Royal Maritime Museum came out to enjoy the music and dancing. The weather even seemed to ease a little.
See, we Cornish know how to have a good time even in the face of trouble and bad weather……….cheers and gone.