Press release For immediate use and issued Monday 10th August 2015
by Delia Brotherton, Gorsedh Kernow Communications Officer.
Successful First Grade Candidates in 2014
Gorsedh Kernow has warmly welcomed news of the results from this year’s Cornish language examinations. The Cornish Language Board, set up in 1967 by Gorsedh Kernow and the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies, has announced successful results from the 47 candidates who took their exams in June.
“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, Kernowek,” said Grand Bard of Cornwall Maureen Fuller, Steren Mor, “ and I heartily congratulate all those who have worked so hard and have now received the good news of their success. It’s not easy finding the time to study and I applaud all those who have dedicated themselves to learning and to 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 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.
“Kernewek is such a beautiful language,” said Mrs Fuller, “and a very important part of our shared heritage. Many people, whether Cornish born or not, have taken Cornwall to their hearts and they want to immerse themselves in our precious Cornish culture. Learning to speak Cornish is a wonderful way to do just that.”
“You don’t have to go very far to find someone who can chat with you in Cornish at your level, whatever that is” said Merv Davey, Telynor an Weryn, who will take over as Grand Bard at Gorsedh Kernow’s bardic ceremony on Saturday 5th September in St Austell, “and as one of my first duties I look forward to presenting all the candidates with their certificates in September. ”
The successful candidates for 2015 are:
First Grade:
Serge Autin, Brittany
Marjorie Barrett, Australia
Ivor Corkell, Camborne
David Dawe, Launceston
Susan Dustow, Hayle
Mark Easton, Fowey
Louise Garner, St Austell
Steven Huxford, London
Susan Lumley, Callington
Kate Neale, London
Helen Pascoe, Camborne
Nigel Polkinghorne, Penzance
Jennifer Rickard, London
Mike Sadler, Plymouth
Marion Smith, St Ives
Wayne Tonkin, Redruth
Andrew Toynbee, London
Rachel Toynbee, London
Daniel Tregear, Helston
Judith Vandy, Camborne
Justin Williams, Redruth
Marie Williams, Redruth
Leslie Witham, St Ives
Second Grade:
Ronan Ar Berr, Brittany
Andrew Bolton, Belgium
Mark Elton, London
Duane Glasby, Penryn
Jakelin Gourmelion, Brittany
Alice-Rose Holland, Helston
Philip Hurley, Calstock
Caroline Lane, Aylesbury
Brian Pocock, Hayle
Jamie Purves, Truro
Michael Rottenbury, St Ives
Matt Sharp, Saltash
Rebecca Sharp, Saltash
Ashley Taylor, Calstock
Third Grade:
Philip Newton, Germany
Dee Hunt, Helston
Shaun Toft, Falmouth
Fourth Grade:
Penny Champion, London
James Daniel, Penzance
Jacqueline Heard, Bude
Rod Sheaff, Liskeard
Jacqueline Wheaton, Potters Bar
Fourth Grade (in part)
Jakki Love, Penzance
Wendy Simpson, Bodmin
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, 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 Kernowek 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. These days Gorsedh Kernow awards prizes to winners of their annual competitions, which includes classes for new work in Kernowek, at the bardic ceremony to be held this year in St Austell on Saturday 5th September.
Successful candidates of the Cornish Language Board examinations are 31 from Cornwall, 7 from London, 3 from England, 5 from Europe and 1 from Australia. 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) later in September.
For more information about Gorsedh Kernow please contact Delia Brotherton, Myrghwyn Melynor, Communications Officer, Gorsedh Kernow,
email communications@gorsedhkernow.org.uk
For more information about the Cornish Language Board please contact Tony Hak, Karer an Yeth, Examinations Secretary, email apposyans@hotmail.co.uk
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