a bit different in Cornwall
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 6:09 am
A builder who blacked up in public then rowed his boat the The Golliwogger in a West Country river festival today defended the decision and said: 'Down in Cornwall it's a bit different.'
Giles Stawski, 35, has criticised the 'politically correct' people who were offended by his fancy dress at the event last weekend in Wadebridge, Cornwall.
Shocked festival-goers complained to national brewery Sharp's, who sponsored the event, who also described the situation as 'deeply disappointing'.
But Mr Stawski has denied that he had acted in poor taste and said: 'Other parts of the country have gone a bit too politically correct. Down in Cornwall it's a bit different.
'People took it in the good humour it was intended. I don't find it offensive but I understand other people might.'
Mr Stawski was not the only person to black up and was among a crew of five men and eight women who took part in the popular race on Saturday.
Three others were blacked up as cannibals and a couple more as cavemen on their makeshift boat which was named the Golliwogger.
They were among the 20 entrants in the annual Sharp's Brewery Raft Race on the Camel Estuary which was the highlight of the Camel River Festival.
One onlooker said: 'It comes across as racist. I don't see the point of getting dressed up like that. It's a bit extreme. They called the boat the Golliwogger.'
