Gorsedh Kernow has welcomed 'with great pride' the news that Cornwall has achieved Government recognition as a national minority. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander was due to visit Bodmin yesterday to make the official announcement that the Cornish will be acknowledged under the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities. Although it will not bring any devolution of powers for a directly- elected Cornish Assembly, the announcement means the Cornish will be afforded the same protections as the Welsh, Scottish and the Irish, and that Government departments and public bodies will be required to take its views into account when making decisions. 'We have always known we are Cornish,' said Grand Bard of Cornwall Maureen Fuller, who lives at Landrake. 'We are elated by this historic announcement. Cornish people have a proud and distinct identity. Gorsedh Kernow exists to maintain the national Celtic spirit of Cornwall. 'Our aim is to foster good relations and promote co-operation and goodwill between those who work for the honour of Cornwall. We are proud of our history and unique language and look forward to the day when these feature as regular subjects on school timetables and are spoken of by Cornish people as a way of life.' Andrew Long, Mebyon Kernow county councillor for Callington told the Cornish Times: 'It is excellent news Government are finally recognising something the European Union have recognised for years and the Cornish have known for generations.'