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 successful results from the 55 candidates who took their exams in June.
“This is almost 20% up on last year’s number of candidates so despite the immense pressure on everyone’s time there are still lots of people who want to have a go at learning our precious Cornish language, Kernewek,” said Grand Bard of Cornwall Merv Davey, Telynor an Weryn, “ and I would like to say ‘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 and with the largest group of candidates based in Cornwall there is a steadily increasing hope that more people will hear Cornish spoken and want to have a go themselves.
Bardh Meur Merv Davey with successful candidates from the 2015 KESVA Graduation ceremony
“Kernewek is such a beautiful language,” said Merv Davey, “and a very important part of our shared heritage. We are really proud of all the wonderful teachers and examiners, many of whom are bards of Gorsedh Kernow, who give so much of their own time to help their students learn Cornish.”
The growing attraction of Kernewek as a way of being immersed in true Cornish culture for people outside Cornwall is also apparent, with nearly 25% of successful candidates living in England and overseas.
“There are so many different ways to learn Cornish these days and you don’t have to look very far to find out about classes and learning resources wherever you are,” said Merv Davey.
“I look forward to meeting all the candidates at their Graduation ceremony in September. ”
The successful candidates for 2016 are:
First Grade: Pass with Distinction
Kensa Broadhurst, Camborne
Amanda Hilmarsson-Dunn, St. Austell
Owain Holland, Bodmin
Thomas Kadleck, Liskeard
Yannig Laporte, Brittany
William Morris, Penzance
Shaun Rennie-Plume, Callington
First Grade: Pass
Clive Bates, London
Angela Bird, St. Austell
Roger Bray, St. Dennis
Carole Catterall, St. Ives
Samantha Constance, Liskeard
Lisa Crosswood, London
Linnea Glynne-Rule, Camborne
Emma Julian, Liskeard
Caroline Marwood, St. Ives
Giles Pennec, Brittany
Thomas Roberts, Newquay
Brian Rogers, Redruth
Hester Rogers, Redruth
Nigel Strick, Penzance
Ashley Turner, London
Susan Turner, London
James Williams, Liskeard
Jenny Worth, Launceston
Barbara Wyper, St. Columb
Peter Wyper, St. Columb
Second Grade: Pass with Distinction
Deborah Arbes, Germany
Richard Buckley, Redruth
Sue Lumley, Callington
Hilary Payne, Newquay
Jennifer Rickard, London
Samuel Rogerson, Grampound Road
Second Grade: Pass
David Dawe, Launceston
Helen Pascoe, Camborne
Marion Smith, St. Ives
Wayne Tonkin, Pool
Andrew Toynbee, London
Rachel Toynbee, London
Judith Vandy, Camborne
Justin Williams, Redruth
Marie Williams, Redruth
Leslie Witham, St. Ives
Third Grade: Pass with Distinction
Andrew Bolton, Belgium
Mark Elton, London
Ann Short, St. Austell
Third Grade: Pass
Duane Glasby, Penryn
Alice Holland, Helston
Jamie Purves, Truro
Colin Short, St. Austell
Ashley Taylor, Launceston
Fourth Grade: Pass
Dee Hunt, Helston
Jakki Love, Penzance
Shaun Toft, Falmouth
Wendy Simpson, Bodmin
End of Press Release***************************
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.
43 of the successful candidates of the Cornish Language Board examinations are from Cornwall, 8 are from London and 4 are from Europe. 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, Communications Officer, Gorsedh Kernow, email communications@gorsedhkernow.org.uk
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