Joint Press Release for immediate use issued Thursday 26th September 2019 by Gorsedh Kernow and Bude Stratton Town Council
“Bude-Stratton is one of the jewels of Cornwall,” said the Grand Bard of Cornwall, Elizabeth Carne, Melennek, “and we are so happy to be gathering in such an interesting and historic town for next year’s Esedhvos Festival.”
The Grand Bard’s words were spoken as a joint declaration with town mayor Cllr Bob Willingham that Bude-Stratton, in the far north of Cornwall, would host the 2020 Gorsedh Kernow Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture and bardic ceremony.
“We are delighted that the bards of the Cornish Gorsedd have accepted our invitation to hold their celebrations here next year,” said Cllr Willingham.
“We are immensely proud of our town’s history, the ancient market town of Stratton and the relatively newer seaside town of Bude.”
Accepting the invitation on behalf of fellow bards, Mrs Carne expressed a wish for friendship and inclusiveness among Cornish people as they celebrate their distinct cultural identity.
“Bude-Stratton is rightly proud of its place in the hearts of Cornish people,” said the Grand Bard, “and we look forward to working with local people to make next year’s Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture one of the best ever.”
End of press release ************************
Further notes for editors
Gorsedh Kernow exists to maintain the national Celtic Spirit of Cornwall and to give expression to such spirit, and to encourage the study of Cornish history and literature, the Cornish language, to foster Cornish art, music, dance and sport and to link with other Celtic countries.
Stratton was a long established, prominent ancient market town, but Bude gradually grew from a small village and eventually evolved into a town with the arrival of the Victorian age. Engineering ingenuity saw the development of the Bude Canal and Harbour, enabling sea sand to be transported inland to improve soil, whilst the railway line finally arrived in Bude (rather than nearby Holsworthy) enhancing accessibility and so its popularity as a seaside destination rose. By the beginning of the 20th century Bude’s prominence eclipsed that of Stratton.
Gorsedh Kernow’s Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture, which includes the bardic ceremony where new bards are initiated, will be held in and around Bude Stratton from Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 6th September 2020.
For further information about Bude-Stratton please visit the Town Council website http://www.bude-Stratton.gov.uk
For further information about Gorsedh Kernow please email hon.secretary@gorsedhkernow.org.uk or visit the website www.gorsedhkernow.org.uk