Skol Veythrin Karenza launches Childrens songs CD

A CD (compact disc) and booklet of Cornish language songs for young children has been launched.

Called Keur Kernewek (Cornish choir), it was created by parents and volunteers who run the Skol Veythrin Karenza (SVK) Cornish language pre-school in Pool every Saturday.

SVK volunteer Rhisiart Tal-e-bot said: “The motivation behind the project initially came from the parents from the school who asked me to record the Cornish songs so that they could sing them at home with their children, but rather than just run off a dozen copies I thought I’d see how far I could go with the idea.”

Mr Tal-e-bot enlisted the help of other community groups and individuals, and applied for funding to ensure the product was of high quality.

A competition was run in local schools to produce illustrations for the booklet, and pupils contributed their talents to some of the CD tracks.

Money was received from Redruth Town Council, Gorsedh Kernow, Movyans Skolyyow Meythrin, Cornwall College and Plymouth University, as well as from several private individuals.

Funding in kind was also received from DBS Music, MagaKernow and Cornish rock group Hanterhir, who produced a couple of the tracks, and Plymouth University students at Cornwall College gave their assistance with the project.

The CD contains 45 tracks of short Cornish songs based around everyday school and home routines, and is aimed at children aged less than 5.

The booklet includes the lyrics to the songs in both Cornish and English.

Mr Tal-e-bot said: “The money raised will all be invested back into the production of more Cornish language resources for children in the early years.”

To buy the CD and booklet, e-mail rhisiart.talebot@movyans-skolyow-meythrin.net or phone 07787 318666