A Redruth games designer has brought a new board game to the market that celebrates all things Cornish. 

Colin Leamon has created Besont, which has been designed around the arms of the Duke of Cornwall, which has 15 bezants on it.

It is described as a cross between Connect 4 and noughts and crosses. 

He hopes the game will reignite people’s interest in the Cornish language as it features Cornish words and phrases and can even be played in Cornish.  

Colin, who works as a chef, has received a lot of interest from traditional gift shops and hotels since releasing Besont.  

He said: “I’ve been designing games for 20 years then one day I saw the Cornish bezant. I thought there must be a game there somewhere. That was three months ago.  

“Over that time, it’s been quite the journey of discovery for me, not only of the history of our great Duchy but also its heritage and language as my hope for this game is to re-ignite fresh interest in the Cornish language, especially in schools as sets come with Cornish words and phrases.  

“People can even play a game in Cornish.  

“Our world-famous motto is all tied up with the crusades.  

“In 1264 Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of Cornwall, was taken hostage for 15 gold coins, a huge sum back then, which took all of Cornwall to come together to pay, hence the saying ‘One and All.’ 

“The game itself has been described as a mix between Connect 4 and noughts and crosses. 

“It really is as simple as that. Players take turns laying gold coins on the bezants as the game board is the actual Cornish emblem, and the player that lays the last gold coin ‘pays the ransom’ and wins. 

“Since the release of Besont this month I have had interest not only from traditional gift shops from all across Cornwall, as it will be the tourists ‘must have’ gift, but also from four and five star hotels and holiday cottages, as it would also be ‘a unique Cornish welcome gift.” 

He added: “It’s a quality product, made in Cornwall, created in Cornwall, and produced in Cornwall by local companies. 

“The box is from The Tiny Box Company in Redruth and the board is from St Austell Print. It is even 99 per cent eco-friendly. 

“I have not cut corners and have not gone abroad where it would have been cheaper to make. Besont is proud to be wholly Cornish.”  Colin has two other games online called Shout Seven and Envie.