Nineteen new bards will be welcomed into the College of Bards of Gorsedh Kernow at Hayle on 3rd September 2022 by the Grand Bard of Cornwall, Pol Hodge, Mab Stenak Veur, in recognition of their outstanding work in serving Cornwall.
Gorsedh Kernow was established with the aim of celebrating and promoting Cornwall’s distinctive Celtic culture and many of this year’s new bards are honoured for working in their community to nurture and promote Cornish culture.
This year the citations show a wide diversity of commitment to the Cornish community. Some have worked with music, both folk music and male voice choirs, and through their performances, teaching and promotion have helped to ensure the future of traditional Cornish music for posterity. Some have recorded the history and lives of Cornish villages and others have supported agricultural shows, preserving our country way of life in Kernow. Some have given a lifetime of volunteering to support causes dear to the heart of Cornish people, ensuring that many aspects of our way of life will continue. Some have used Kernewek, our language to promote Kernow. One new bard has been recognised for his work with the Bude Surf Life Club since it began in 1953, which has been in the forefront in the advancement of beach safety.
In the diaspora, one new bard is continuing to support the preservation of the only surviving Cornish pump engine house in the U.S.A., promoting public awareness of the vital role of Cornish engineers and Cornish technology to the growth of the U.S.A. as an industrial nation.
Whatever way they have demonstrated their love for Kernow, the commitment by all is exemplary and Gorsedh Kernow is proud to have them in the College of Bards.
The new bards for 2022 are:
- Mark Connar, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania U.S.A. For services to Cornish Identity in the U.S.A.
- Lisa Crosswood, Liskeard. By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall
- Sue Dabb, Chacewater. By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall
- Ken Downing, Carnon Downs. For services to Cornish Culture in Stithians
- Sue Ellery-Hill, St.Just. For promoting and protecting the Cornish Identity in Music
- Trelawney Grenfell-Muir, Boston, U.S.A. By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall
- Deborah Hinton, Gorran Haven. For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture by supporting Cornish causes
- Owain Holland, Newlyn. By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall
- Carmen Hunt, Hendrabridge. For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture through Folk Dance
- Stephen Hunt, Hendrabridge. For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture through Folk Music
- Tom Kadleck, Liskeard. By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall
- Caroline Lane, London. By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall
- Kirsty Lauder, Saltash. By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall
- David Matthew, Penzance. By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall
- Wlliam Orchard, Helston. For promoting the Cornish language and Identity in the community
- Geoff Provis, Launceston. For promoting Cornish Identity through the History of Port Isaac and its wider environs
- Mike Tresidder, Breage. For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture through Education and the Cornish language
- Deborah Tritton, Redruth. For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture through Archives
- Peter Vickery, Bude. For promoting Cornish Identity in Bude
The annual procession of bards and installation of the 19 new initiates into the College of Bards will take place on Saturday 3rd September at 2pm. The ceremony to be held in the grounds of Hayle Academy is part of the Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture. The procession will be led at 1.30pm from the school, by the Grand Bard of Cornwall, Pol Hodge, Mab Stenak Veur.
The bardic names of the 19 new bards will also be made known for the first time at this ceremony, which will be conducted in the Cornish language although it can be followed easily with the English translation. All are welcome to attend the ceremony and there is no charge for this event.