Pirates' Captain Plots Cornish Language Course

Adryan Winnan Learns Cornish
27th August 2008

New Cornish Pirates' Captain Adryan Winnan has been learning the Cornish Language thanks to a tie up between the club and MAGA, the Cornish Language Partnership.

Adryan, who will lead the Pirates for the first time in National Division One this weekend, has been learning Cornish from Pirates' supporter and former Grand Bard of Cornwall, Rod Lyon

Adryan said:
"Whenever I meet people on my travels I always explain that I am Cornish, and that the Cornish people have their own special identity, including our own language. Invariably, they ask me to say a few words, and I've always been ashamed as I didn't know any. After the lessons arranged by the Cornish Language Partnership, I'm far from fluent but hopefully I will be able to do Cornwall proud."

Additionally, the Cornish Pirates have teamed up with MAGA to launch 'Bagas Benbow' (Benbow's Gang), which is a free Junior Supporters Club. All youngsters who join will get a welcome pack complete with a Bagas Benbow membership card as well as other goodies. Also, there will be dual language posters in the matchday programme (starting with this week's Newbury match programme), and a special Cornish codeword for all the young supporters to speak to the players.

Jeremy Rowe,CC, who takes over from Eric Brooke as Chair of the Cornish Language Partnership in September, was pleased to learn that Adryan is learning Cornish.
"I am delighted that the Partnership will be working alongside the Cornish Pirates, and Adryan in particular, continuing the association that began last year. It is fantastic that the young people now have a Cornish language role model, and that more people will be encouraged to speak Cornish. I'm sure the Cornish Language Partnership would like to wish the Cornish Pirates and Adryan "Chons da!" (good luck in Cornish) for the coming season."

To join 'Bagas Benbow', please email rudi.grenfell@cornish-pirates.com and you will automatically become a member.

Find out more about Cornish and the work of the Cornish Language Partnership at www.magakernow.org.uk