The new Gorsedd council 2009 - 2012 was announced at the Gorsedd AGM. Click here.

Click here.

World's Largest Cornish Festival

The biennial Kernewek Lowender took place in May. One of the founders Ros Paterson, our bard Roslyn an Dyghow, reported it was a big success. It was attended by tens of thousands of people. For further information please see www.kernewek.org

Front Row: L.-R. Ralph Thomas W.A., Paul Thomas S.A., Lilian James S.A., Rosanne Hawke S.A., Terry Johnston S.A., Gwen Phillips Vic., Tom and Libby Luke Vic., Beth Vane S.A., Bill Phillips Vic. & Ros Paterson S.A.

Middle Row: Joy Dunkerley NSW, Philip Payton Cornwall, Steven Amos Vic., Noel Carthew S.A., Leanne Lloyd Vic. Kay Gill S.A. Susan Pellowe U.S.A. June Parrott Vic. Betty Johns Vic. Joy Menhennett Vic. Diana Hancock S.A.

Back Row: David Gill S.A., Jim Harbison S.A., Roger Thomas NSW, Richard Hancock S.A.

Gorsedd Proclamation - Saltash

Saturday the 18th of April saw the Gorsedd Proclamation held at Saltash, on the banks of the River Tamar.

It was a fine morning, with a good crowd of Bards from all over Cornwall, gathered in the town for the Ceremony. The Guildhall was the place chosen for robing, and by nine o’clock, a good number had already arrived. Formed in order outside the Guildhall door, and at a quarter past ten, the procession started its way along Fore Street, following the piper to Victoria Gardens, where a circle was formed against the Men Omborth at the higher end of the gardens.

The Town Mayor welcomed the Gorseth saying how delighted he was to receive the Gorseth at Saltash, and especially that the Gorsedd will be there for the Open Ceremony in September. The Grand Bard replied and thanked the Mayor for his speech.

Gorseth Council

Left to right: Keith Shaw, Keith Truscott, Barbara Shaw, Marion Combe, Maureen Pierce, Mo Fuller, Vanessa Moyle, Mike Millard, (Wella Brown), Jory Ansell, Alastair Quinnell, Bert Biscoe, Mick Paynter, Pat Miller, David Lindo, (Brian Coombes), Polin Preece, Vanessa Beeman (chair), Colin Roberts, (Ted Chapman).

Gorseth Council meets five times a year to discuss the business of keeping Gorseth Kernow running, and its interaction with other cultural groups.

St Piran's Day: The Procession through Truro

In recent years there has been a greater awareness of Cornish identity; part of this is recognition of patron saints – there are three for Cornwall – the Archangel Michael and two from the age of Saints. One is Petroc whose cult was based on the Padstow – Bodmin area, and is specially associated with Wales.

The other is Piran (Perran) who is the saint of the Cornish flag and patron of tinners. According to legend he came from Ireland on a millstone - possibly alluding to a portable stone altar that he used.

On St Piran’s Day (5th March) it is the custom for a procession to take place through Truro led by the Grand Bard and Mayor, with banners of Cornish societies and dancers from local schools. Earlier in the day there is a similar procession in Bodmin and in the evening in Launceston.

St Piran’s Day: The Celebrations at Perranzabuloe

Each of our three patrons had special place of pilgrimage in Cornwall. Piran was honoured above all at Perranzabuloe. Here is the site of the earliest remaining church structure (the “Oratory”), which it is hoped to re-excavate soon and the site of the Parish Church (moved in 1804 to a new site because of the continued advance of sand). The relics were lost at the Reformation, but the old parish church has been excavated recently.

On the Sunday after St Piran’s Day a great procession is held over the dunes to the old parish church, passing the Oratory; later, on the beach at Perranporth, there is a re-enactment of the coming of Piran on a millstone. On the previous Sunday there is Evensong in Cornish at Peranarworthal (between Truro and Falmouth). With dinners and other events in Cornwall and beyond, the affection of Cornish people for Perran is demonstrated.

Delynyans Kernow

An exhibition of Cornish Art, “A Cornish Perspective” was held in London from the 4th to the 13th of February. It was opened by the Grand Bard on the evening of Tuesday the 3rd and was attended by many important people: Members of some European Embassies, Members of Parliament and others.

After much hard work by Robert Jones (Den Awenek) and his wife, Susie, paintings by Anthony Frost, Louise McClary, Andrew Lanyon, Francis Hewlitt, Mary Martin, Margo Maekelburghe, Ashley Hold, Clive Carter and Robert Jones (among them four bards) were carried from Cornwall and hung in Jean Monnet House, the Centre for the European Commission in the United Kingdom.

The event was facilitated by John Fleet, Secretary of Ceres, and was supported by Gorseth Kernow.

For developments in Cornish Culture please click here.

Concern for Australian Friends

Gorseth Kernow express deepest sympathy to the people of Australia - particularly those with kith and kin in Cornwall, many of whom reside in the areas most affected by the horrific devastation in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, where many Cornish families settled on the Gold Fields and the Copper Coast.

The Gorsedd has sent several messages including one for the Book of Condolence

Three reports from Jori Ansell / Caradok presented to the Council of Gorseth Kernow can be read in full by clicking here.

Words of encouragement from Prof Ken MacKinnon, Gaelic Board member and principal researcher and author of  GOSW's Cornish Language Report in 2000, recorded at Cornish Language Conference, Lostwithiel 31st Jan 2009. Click here.

GK08

A DVD of the afternoon Gorseth ceremony at Looe is now available. It is in PAL (European) format and runs for 1 hour 35 minutes. It is a compilation from 4 mDV cameras. The price is a flat rate £5 including whatever the postage may be. Overseas purchasers must pay in Sterling, if necessary using David Lindo's personal PayPal account.

Please contact enquiries@gorsethkernow.org.uk

The Gorseth Council

Carer Lowarthow, Mentenor a'n Ertach; Trevesiges, Gwaryer an Sarf;
Caradok, Bryallen, Gwas Costtentyn; Cum Morek; Vyajor gans Geryow, Kernow.

The Gorseth council meets regularly throughout the year.

At their February meeting a report was received from the Admissions committee on the proposals for new Bards. Processing will continue and the names will be announced in August.

Amongst other items received were reports from the Treasurer, competitions, Archives and publications, the Cornish language and the website.

Click here.

Souvenir Mug

Please support Gorsedd funds by purchasing a special mug as a memento of the recent Gorsedd Day in Looe.

It is an attractive, limited edition, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Gorseth Kernow, with a picture of Looe, the Town Crest and, of course, the Awen.

Cost - only £3.50. Cheques payable to Gorseth Kernow should be sent to:

The Secretary, Gorseth Kernow,
Mrs. Barbara Shaw, Clitters House, Clitters,
Callington, Kernow/Cornwall, PL17 8HP.

For Gorseth and other Cornish video clips please visit www.golowva.headweb.co.uk.