CORNWALL Council has welcomed the decision by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to support the promotion of Cornish heritage and culture by amending its forms to enable people to choose ’Cornish’ as an option under the ethnicity heading.

The decision by RIBA to change its approach to monitoring diversity follows the Government’s announcement in 2014 that the Cornish were to be recognised under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM).

Welcoming the decision John Pollard, leader of Cornwall Council, said: ’The Devolution Deal Cornwall agreed with the Government last year was explicit that our cultural distinctiveness underpins our economy and our sense of place and purpose.  What we are increasingly seeing is that forward thinking businesses, communities and organisations such as RIBA are recognising that too. 

’Nurturing and developing our unique culture and heritage is not about living in the past, it is about shaping the future. Literally so in this instance, given the important role RIBA plays in architecture and the built environment.’

The council is committed to supporting the development and expression of Cornish culture and heritage and is continuing to work with partners and other local and national organisations to achieve this.

’The next 12 months will see progress being made on a number of key projects which will help support Cornish culture and the cultural economy,’ added Julian German, the council’s cabinet member for economy and culture.

’Not only will we see the start of construction on the Kresen Kernow archive in Redruth and the opening of the new Tate Gallery, we will also be working with our partners at the Hall for Cornwall on the development of their theatre, and supporting the Cornwall Museum Partnership to help museums across Cornwall to educate and thrive.  We will also be continuing to support our Mining World Heritage Site and encouraging the development of the Cornish Language, which attracts visitors from around the world.  

’We will hear much more about the Framework Convention during 2016 and we should see it as a platform to shape our future as much as recognise our unique heritage. RIBA should be congratulated for being one of the first organisations to do so.’