Gorsedh Kernow has warmly welcomed news of the results from this year’s Cornish language examinations. KESVA – The Cornish Language Board – set up in 1967 by Gorsedh Kernow and the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies, has announced another year of impressive results from the 68 candidates who took their exams in June.
“This is more than 20% up again on last year’s number of candidates who are learning and taking exams in our precious Cornish language, Kernewek and more than a 40% rise in the number of students taking their First Grade exams,” said Grand Bard of Cornwall Merv Davey, Telynyor an Weryn, “ and I would like to say
Grand Bard Merv Davey, Telynyor an Weryn
‘Keslowena dhywgh hwi oll’ which means ‘Congratulations to you all’ in Cornish, you have all worked so hard.”
The results are spread across the four grades of examinations currently offered by the Cornish Language Board with the largest group of candidates based in Cornwall.
“Kernewek is such a beautiful language,” said Merv Davey, “and a very important part of Cornish culture. People are really interested in the current debate about Cornish identity and many see this as a good way to immerse themselves fully into our shared heritage. It doesn’t matter if you are Cornish born or not, it’s what is in your heart that matters and Kernewek plays a big part in many people’s lives.”
The Grand Bard expressed his gratitude to all the hardworking teachers and examiners, many of whom are bards of Gorsedh Kernow, who give a lot of their own time to help their students learn Cornish in a variety of ways including classes, self teach books and online courses.
“The Council of Europe have recognised the Cornish people and the importance of our cultural assets, such as Kernewek, under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities ” said Merv Davey, “and once again we call on HM Government to reconsider their cuts to Cornish language funding.”
The successful candidates for 2017 are:
First Grade: Pass with Distinction
Jennifer Blockley, Launceston
Kirsty Lauder, Saltash
David Matthew, Penzance
Charlotte Morgan, Truro
Rita Nield, St Just
William Orchard, Penzance
Robin Parsons, Truro
William Pellow, Falmouth
Howard Peskett, Penzance
Tony Phillips, Penzance
Chloe Phillips, Falmouth
Kevin Steede, Gunnislake
First Grade: Pass
Colin Allen, Godalming
Tanya Brittain, Looe
Shaun Courtenay, Truro
Marie-Hélène Croizier, Ploumagoar, Brittany
Tamsin Daniel, Penzance
Nina Davey, Truro
Graham Dilley, St Ives
John Goody, Isles of Scilly
Lee Kellgren, Penryn
Emily Keverne, Redruth
David Knott, Liskeard
Brian Lindop, Newquay
Colin Loveless, Clacton-on-Sea
Robin Mackenzie, St Ives
Ian Marr, St Ives
Katrina Naomi, Penzance
Victoria Parker, Helston
Victoria Reece-Romain, Liskeard
Edward Rowe, Roche
Hannah Sharp, Saltash
Lucy Tansley, Cambridge
Nanette Tonkin, St Austell
Matthew Underwood, Plymouth
Sarah Wheldon, Callington
Second Grade: Pass with Distinction
Kensa Broadhurst, Camborne
Lisa Crosswood, Liskeard
Johanna Harvey, Crewkerne
Amanda Hilmarson-Dunn, Mevagissey
Owain Holland, Fowey
Andrew Johnson, Truro
Thomas Kadleck, Liskeard
Wella Morris, Penzance
Barbara Wyper, St Columb Major
Second Grade: Pass
Angela Bird, St Dennis
Sam Constance, Liskeard
Emma Julian, Liskeard
Yannig Laporte, Kemper, Brittany
Caroline Marwood, St Ives
Gilles Pennec, Kemper, Brittany
Shaun Rennie-Plume, Callington
Thomas Roberts, Newquay
James Williams, Calstock
Peter Wyper, St Columb Major
Third Grade: Pass with Distinction
Caroline Lane, Aylesbury
Michael Rottenbury, St Ives
Marion Smith, Carbis Bay
Sarah Smith, London
Third Grade: Pass
Phil Hurley, Calstock
Sue Lumley, Callington
Helen Pascoe, Camborne
Rebecca Sharp, Saltash
Wayne Tonkin, Redruth
Fourth Grade: Pass with Distinction
Mark Elton, London
Peter Green, Gloucester
Fourth Grade: Pass in Part
Alice Holland, Helston
Jamie Purves, Truro
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Gorsedh Kernow exists to maintain the national Celtic Spirit of Cornwall and to give expression to such spirit, to encourage the study of Cornish history and literature, the Cornish language Kernewek, to foster Cornish art, music, dance and sport and to link with other Celtic countries.
The revival of Gorsedh Kernow in 1928, and the commencement of church services in the Cornish language Kernewek in 1933 greatly encouraged the use of spoken Cornish and this process of familiarisation with the language was quickly followed by new plays, prose, poetry and songs in Cornish.
56 of the successful candidates of the Cornish Language Board examinations are from Cornwall, 9 are from England and 3 are from Brittany. Several of these candidates will be presented with their certificates by the Grand Bard of Cornwall at a special Graduation ceremony in Lys Kernow (Cornwall Council Offices, Truro) later in September.
For more information about the Cornish Language Board please contact Tony Hak, Karer an Yeth, Examinations Secretary, email apposyans@hotmail.co.uk
For more information about Gorsedh Kernow please contact Delia Brotherton, Myrghwyn Melynor, Honorary Secretary, Gorsedh Kernow,
email hon.secretary@gorsedhkernow.org.uk
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