To think Cornwall has gone down market?

[ispofbaid]

Not my opinion - that of my friend. She said she was down in West Cornwall for the bank holiday weekend and the crowd seems go have changed a lot over the last five years.

Cornwall is an example (as is parts of Devon and Dorset) of rural poverty, which is where the countryside is so stunning, you fail to notice that the people living there don't have great jobs, great cars or great anything. With exceptions obviously. The EU categorised Cornwall as one of the poorest areas in Europe and poured huge amounts of money in to develop the tourist and other industries to stimulate growth (over 1 billion euros), it was somewhat successful and then they voted mostly for Brexit! So that money is no longer coming in, and the Levelling up fund is going to be spent on National Service across the whole country and not targetted (well, if Tories stayed in which they won't).

Give me a group of friendly northerners than rude stuck up hooray henries anyday

@EggcornAcorn

Trying to think where West Cornwall is to emmets. Bude is a bit kiss me quick. Croyde Bay surf crowd. St Ives arty farty types.

Is "Emmet" a slightly derogatory term used by people from Cornwall to describe non-Cornish folk? Why is this still ok in this day and age? Really pisses me off because it's a form of insult that wouldn't wash anywhere else.

I'm from t'North and our whole family went to West Cornwall at Easter. We spoke with accents and everything. It was pissing it down so we kept our flat caps on and stowed the ferrets down our trousers. Apologies for lowering the tone.

It’s not racist, merely derogatory about the influx of tourists or whatever colour or creed.

I think I saw you! Were you the guys in the sea with rolled up trousers and hankies on your head?

And in Devon, AFAIK they’re ‘grockles’.

Isn’t ‘emmets’ Cornish for ants? At any rate, as far as I’m concerned, long live lovely quirky dialect words!

Emmets is not a racist word, it means tourists when you live there. Devonians say 'grockles' and that's not racist either, although when I was growing up, many people in Devon (not my circle of friends) were very racist, not happy memories at all.

I think clothes have changed - far less boden around now - so maybe the vibe has changed?

Used in a derogatory manner though they're hardly 'quirky' are they...

Do they have every right to be there? I'm not sure all the locals in Cornwall would agree. A lot of those caravan parks are owned by businesses whose investors don't live or work locally. The last thing Cornwall needs is more low-paid seasonal work that leaves locals on benefits during the off-season.

So... noting the fact that the nearest small town is dominated by pasty and ice cream shops and places that sell tourist tat rather than anything locals actually need: cafes and restaurants shut down outside holiday season: you can't park without paying an arm and a leg, even if you're a local: it's a struggle to get on the bus you need to get to work in peak season, because they're full of visitors: and that in winter there's nothing going on — all that counts for nothing?

Tourists of any variety have a massive effect on a local community. Wealthy tourists at least spend money, but tourists on tight budget can end up spending very little while also putting a huge strain on local amenities. I know someone who's a senior manager for the NHS health board in Cornwall. Their A+E/ minor injuries units are overwhelmed each summer.

Hooray Henries are upmarket? You learn something new everyday.

This. Same applies in West Wales — but nowhere near as many tourists there, yet.

They are most definitely not.

They’re grockles in the Isle of Wight too.

Things certainly were a lot better, yes.

St Mawes is still full of posh twats. I hate it but in laws own a holiday home and we cant afford a holiday otherwise. I have a proper London accent so stick out like a sore thumb.

That would be my understanding as well.

Just to re-assure you, I’m French and there are two variations of the cliché English tourist in the collective imaginary; the one you describe (add an obsession for beer and fish&chips) but also a more positive one : naice middle aged or older people, discreet and educated, perfect manners, fond of afternoon tea, gardening and ditsy prints. This one we quite like :)

@Branleuse

you're kidding me? They let NORTHERNERS in to Cornwall these days?

Yes indeed, Northerners are now grudgingly permitted some time in Cornwall. Only a few days here and there, mind, as they have to factor in time to travel via horse and cart. Which usually takes about two to three weeks depending on the conditions of the roads and the location of the Northerner themselves. They may wish to change horses in the MIDLANDS. There's a good service station there.

As another poster succinctly noted, soon enough the Welsh may also make an experience. And perhaps even people from SCOTLAND which has never been heard of before and will be quite the sensation. All these people, travelling of their own volition to a part of the country where they can experience the unifying sensation of being called an Emmet by the locals. It's worth the journey and the slog to get there just for this.

St mawes is lovely😌

Agree with you Abeona
Rural areas have been absolutely decimated over the past decade. Roads are literally, falling apart, the basic infrastructure has not been invested in and is overwhelmed, public transport is not being subsidised and is barely affordable.

Jobs in local areas are low quality and low paid (care work, hospitality industry). It feels like the whole economic system propping up rural communities outside of tourism will be completely fucked once the pensioners on final salary pensions who have retired to the South West have all died.

Croyde is in DEVON! Definitely not Cornwall

I think it's very over rated. Haven't been for decades. I wouldn't bother going again. All these awful caravans clogging up the roads is enough to put me off.

Emmet is derogatory though. Take it from a real Cornish person. Yes, it does mean 'ant'. It's not merely descriptive though, it's meant as an insult.

Got to be honest- I do like a few of the Cornish coastal places, Fowey, st Ives, looe, polperro , mousehole etc- but to be honest I can get a similar kind of vibe going to Poole, swanage, bridport, Lyme - even Torquay or Tenby at 1/3 of the drive for us.