When I said that there were lanes and roads called Darkie Lane or Darkie Ope it was meant as an example that the word Darkie in the West country has been used for centuries, whether or not you agree with the modern connotations. I was not meaning it to be taken in any other way. I think that the fact that most of the Merrymakers now have black faces with a white cross, i.e. our national flag [For Catters in other countries, Cornwall has its own recognised flag which is black with a white cross] shows they have gone out of their way not to offend but still keeping the guising trdaition and our own, internationally recognised, identity. Much more relevant to them than wearing rainbow colours.