I established my Language School for Cornwall right here in Lostwithiel, back in 2001. As a Cornish woman and a member of the Cornish National Minority, I am proud of the fact that this year, my language school celebrates the 25th anniversary of its existence. This magical anniversary coincides beautifully with the decision that Kernowek, the Cornish language, will now have the highest level of protection possible under European Treaty. It will now be recognised alongside Welsh, Irish Gaelic and Scots Gaelic under Part III of the European Treaty for Regional or Minority Languages.

The work that I do here with the Cornish Language, Dialect and Literature is directly connected to the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. It is informed by my lived experience of being Cornish, my knowledge of my Cornish ancestry and by my many years of living and working in Cornish communities here in Cornwall. It is also informed by my academic study of the Cornish language and Cornish identity, which I undertook in connection with my Masters Degree in Contemporary European Culture: Language, Literature and Society (2007, University of Exeter/Institute of Cornish Studies).