TRIBUTES have been paid to a Newquay community stalwart following her lifelong commitment to Cornish identity and history.

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Carne, widely recognised for her leadership in Cornish heritage, music, and community service, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 4 at the age of 75 following a period of ill health.

The former primary school teacher made prominent contributions to the cultural landscape of the region, notably serving as the president of the Newquay Old Cornwall Society and as the former Grand Bard of Gorsedh Kernow.

The fluent Cornish speaker ran Cornish language (Kernewek) classes for many years and frequently presented educational history talks at the Newquay Library.

Liz was also a prominent figure in preservation, acting as a trustee and judging panel member for the Cornish Heritage Trust.

She had decades of dedicated service to the Newquay Band as both a musical player and as an essential committee member. Liz was announced as the inaugural recipient of the band's special memorial award for her lifelong dedication.

She was also heavily involved as a volunteer fundraising for the Newquay RNLI alongside her mother, Agnes Clemens, and her son, Richard.

Len Sheppard, the chair of Newquay Old Cornwall Society, said: “Liz was a member of the society for many decades and president for 10 years until stepping down through ill health this year.

“She strongly supported the work carried out within the archive and museum and other activities such as bi-lingual guided walks carried out in Kernewek and English.

“Liz has been involved with many Newquay organisations including Newquay Town Band.

“Since its inception she supported Newquay St Piran’s Festival Group.

“During the pandemic Liz contributed some videos for the Newquay St Piran online festival, sharing some Cornish language stories for children.

“These have been regularly listened to ever since.

“The Newquay Cornish Language Class started by Liz has encouraged many people in Cornwall and since the pandemic worldwide via zoom to learn Cornish.

“Together with her son Richard and mother Agnes Liz has been a great supporter of Newquay RNLI helping out in the shop for many years.

“Cornwall has seen Liz very involved in its cultural heritage sector. This included as being part of the team at Cornwall Heritage Trust.

“Liz, a fluent Cornish speaker, was initiated as a bard of Gorsedh Kernow in 1978 taking the bardic name Melennek meaning Green Finch in Kernewek.

“Later she became Deputy Grand Bard and finally Grand Bard perhaps the highest recognition achievable for a Cornish person. A number of videos were made which Liz featured in relating to gardening and in the Cornish language.”

Gareth Horner, the president of Newquay RNLI, said: “Everyone at Newquay RNLI lifeboat station is saddened by the loss of long-serving fundraiser Elizabeth Carne.

“Liz was RNLI through and through, a much respected, popular and dedicated member of our team.

“She will be much missed. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”

A spokesperson for Newquay Band said: “Liz was a keen musician, very proud Cornishwoman and will be missed immensely.”