Some outstanding creative and community achievements were celebrated this year in
the Annual Gorsedh Awards, both in Cornwall and further afield. Broadcaster Petroc
Trelawny and choir leader Angela Renshaw were amongst those who received named awards for their work, while activity outside Cornwall was recognised in an Award to Ed Glasson of the Thames Valley Cornish Association.
The Cornish language was highlighted through the Mab Hirnans award, which went to
Tim Hambly of Launceston who has taught Cornish language for many years and also
served as long-time Secretary of the Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek. The Grand
Bard’s Award this year goes to 96 year old Lilian James of Australia, who has taught
Cornish and written books in the language for many years, inspiring many others who
keep Cornish culture alive on the other side of the world.
There were two new named Awards this year: the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies
Heritage Award, which went to Kate Neale for her work with the Federation and with
Cornish music. The Cornish Welsh Cup, given by the Cornish Welsh Association to
mark work to strengthen ties between Wales and Cornwall, which went to Davyth Fear
for his work with Welsh and Cornish language.
The annual Gorsedh Kernow Awen awards recognise excellent work that sustains or
promotes the Celtic spirit of Cornwall both in Creativity and for the Community. All
winners received a specially commissioned Awen medal that features the Gorsedh
Kernow symbol of inspiration.
Leading theatre company o-region received a Creativity Awen for the acclaimed
production of The White Horse, as did Arlodhes a Shallot, a retelling of the Tennyson
poem with original music by Matthew Thomason and Cornish translation by Elizabeth
Ellis.
Community Awens went to Matthew Kenworthy Gomes for his achievement in
developing Cornish culture in Cornwall Pride and to Seamas Carey for the Men are
Singing project.
The panel also awards Certificates of Recognition which are designed to encourage new work in a range of categories. This award has swiftly become a quality mark for new creative
work that celebrates the Celtic spirit of Cornwall. This year these include original work
in Cornish and in art.
The Awards were presented at Marazion Community Centre on Friday 5th September as part of the Esedhvos festival of Cornish culture. Grand Bard, Jenefer Lowe, who presented all the awards, commented: “We have been really impressed by the quality and diversity of creative and community work nominated this year and it is a real pleasure to celebrate so much Cornish talent, commitment and achievement”.
The full list of awards for 2025:
Named Awards
Grand Bard’s Award: Lilian James, Australia
Mab Hirnans/Stephen Gainey Award: Tim Hambly, Launceston
London Cornish Association Shield: Ed Glasson
Pewas Map Trevethan/Paul Smales Award: Petroc Trelawney
Lowender Award: Angela Renshaw
FOCS Heritage Award: Kate Neale
Cornish-Welsh Cup: Davyth Fear
Community Awen Awards:
O-Region for From the Horse’s Mouth
Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, Cornwall Pride
Seamus Carey for Men are Singing
Creativity Awen Awards:
O-Region for The White Horse
Matthew Thomason, Elizabeth Freeborn, Kath Buckler and Elizabeth Ellis for Arlodhes a Shallot
Certificates of Recognition
Community:
School for Mini Artists c/o Cathy Davies, Nanpean, St Austell
Creative Work:
William Morris – Painting of a tin mine
Kate Cartwright – Me and Mine, art exhibition
Lianne Wilson: Cornish Language: Tri Foynt Skians
Sam Brown: Cornish Language: Tri Thyller yn Kernow
William Griffith: Cornish Language: Morwenna
You can find a gallery of the presentations to the adult winners on Friday 5th. September at the Esedhvos here.