Lands End is now Land’s End – and let that be an end to it

LANDS END will finally get an apostrophe after Cornwall Council voted to make signs grammatically correct.

Uncertainty has existed around the correct use of the apostrophe for Lands End as it is currently spelt both with and without one.

The Cornish headland, which juts into the Atlantic, is the most westerly point in England and a popular tourist attraction. Many have challenged themselves to cycle the 874 miles from Lands End to John o’ Groats, the very tip of the Highlands.

However, as the council met to discuss the new electoral boundaries, which will create the divisions for a new slimmed down council when it comes into force in 2021, they decided to settle the matter once and for all.

Councillors felt the subsequent creation of new names required clarification on punctuation for the county’s most famous landmark.

Sue James, councillor for St Just In Penwith, said that although she was not an expert on the matter she had consulted one in the form of Craig Weatherhill, an historian who has published books on west Cornwall.

Ms James explained that Mr Weatherhill had agreed that Lands End should have an apostrophe. She therefore requested that the new divisions for the area would have one.

Loveday Jenkin, the Mebyon Kernow councillor who represents the Wendron district, also gave her support to the move and said Mr Weatherhill was the best person to make such a call. The historic amendment was unanimously supported by the council.