Thanks, Cllr. Those who know me know that I could never and would never support anything I considered to be racist in any way shape or form. I would be the first to stand up and try to get it stopped and have done in the past. If you look at everything I have said I have reported what is going on as I have concerns that, if it is events such as Rochester Sweeps could also be considered racist. It is something that we need to watch. I have never come down on one side or the other. I have tried to right some perpetuated myths. E.g. It is conveniently forgotten that the story, and it is a story as there is no truth in history to support it, of the people of Padstow seeing the slaves and blacked up was to help them escape by everyone blacking their faces and hiding the slaves amongst them! Now, if by saying that you think I am a racist then that is your problem and not mine.

Yes, I know that Cornwall is the third most racist county in the country behind Northumbria and Devon and I am trying to change it - and I am putting my name to it. At the launch of the policy document 2 weeks ago it was spelt out, in no uncertain terms, that the way to combat racism is to educate our children. That's what I am trying to do. Now, if you think that having Darkie Days is the whole reason behind the problem in Cornwall, which some 'guest' seems to imply by putting in the links to it, then you are way off the mark. Hardly anyone down here even knew about DD before it hit the press.

Now, I'll get on with doing my bit to combat racism, and I'll also get on with making sure all the rich traditions from all over the UK are not forgotten by the next generation - and that they understand their origins.