Gorsedh Kernow 2009 Essa / Saltash DVD-R

A 2 hour video has been compiled from 5 camera angles. It includes the installation of the new Grand Bard, and Deputy Grand bard. All the new Bards, Council Award and competition winners appear, and there is a brief taste of the evening concert.

All profits from the sale go to the Gorsedh.

The price is £5, plus £1 p&p in the UK, £2 p&p Europe, and £3 for the rest of the world. It is European PAL format on a DVD-R, color printed disk. It comes in a DVD Library case with color printed sleeve.

Contact enquiries@gorsedhkernow.org.uk

Summary of October Gorsedh Kernow Council Meeting

The new Bardh Meur outlined his vision for the next three years, including support for Bewnans Kernow (the new Cornish Cultural Partnership), strengthening ties with Wales and Brittany and supporting Esethvos Kernow.

Approval was given for the manufacture of a new sword for the ceremony of the sword, re-introduced into the Open Gorsedh to symbolise unity and friendship with the Brittany and Wales Gorsedhow. This is to be paid for by an appeal to bards.

The list of meeting and ceremony dates for 2010 was agreed.

The resignation of Website Manager, Ted Chapman - Glywys Venta, was accepted with a strong vote of thanks for his work over the years. Pat Miller - Myrgh Jowna was appointed as the new Website Manager.

Discussion took place on the issue of archives and work to support this will be ongoing.

Council supported Bardh Meur’s desire to review the range of classes for the Gorsedh Awards. The Administration Working Group will carry out this work in the first instance in consultation with the Awards Sub-committee.

A donation was approved for the ‘Steps to Copenhagen’ campaign led by Howard Curnow.

Reports from all officers and sub-committees were received.

The date of the next GK Council meeting is 6th February 2010.

Click here (in Cornish only)

Council signage

At its recent meeting the Cabinet of Cornwall Council adopted a policy on the Cornish language which includes the provision of bilingual street signage for new and replacement signs as well as an undertaking to give consideration to the use of Cornish in documents and other council usage.

This policy builds on work already carried out by the old Kerrier council and extends to the whole of Cornwall.

New Archdruid for Wales

Abergwaun

Poet and playwright T James Jones - Jim Parc Nest his Bardic name, has been nominated as the next Archdruid of Wales. He will succeed Dic Jones - Dic yr Hendre who died in August 2009

Raising the bar for Cornish Culture and Arts

The Gorsedh Kernow Annual Conference 2009

Bert Biscoe - Vyajor gans Geryow and Ross Williams - Map Crowan organised the day which was attended by more than 70 delegates consisting of Bards and guests.

The conference began with a presentation on the Region of Culture project by Miranda Bird. This is a Cornwall Council led campaign to persuade the EU to create the designation of RoC to match Cities of Culture.

The afternoon was dedicated to a presentation by Gorsedh Administrator, Colin Roberts, who is also charged in a partnership between the new Council and GK, with setting up Bewnans Kernow - the Cornish Cultural Partnership. It included a plenary discussion on the future role of GK in this process.

Between these two sessions were featured three practitioners who are engaged in different ways in extending and developing Cornish arts.

• Pol Hodge on film making and the Cornish language.
• Jowdy Davey on the opportunities and challenges of developing Lowender Peran for the next generation.
• Neil Davey on the challenges and achievements of managing and promoting Dalla.

Climate change Video Report and Cornwall Film Festival 2009 Video Report - click here

The 31st Inter celtic dance festival in Peranporth had a large and varied program.

A speaker at the "Celticity" seminar had found people in Cornwall (who) do not regard Cornwall as part of England, or at least, query it. Many Bards support the Festival which has a very pleasant atmosphere, thanks to the Directors who answer every query or problem with a radiant smile.

The "Flash" format video clip gives a brief insight into the 5 day festival.

The 2010 Gorsedh Kernow competitions are now under way. There are classes for both adults and young people in poetry, prose, Cornish studies, music (in English or Cornish), art and photography.

Full details of the classes and rules for entry are now available on this site. The closing date is 17th April 2010 and the awards will be presented by the Grand Bard at the Open Gorseth in St Ives on the first Saturday in September 2010.

For full details click here for adults, and here for young people.

Laura Hardman

At the September Gorsedd ceremony in Saltash, a special certificate was presented to Laura Hardman's parents. Written on it were the words, "To Laura Hardman to acknowledge her special and unique contribution to Cornish Culture, above all through the Cornwall Film Festival and her great support for the Cornish Language."

Gorsedh 2009 - Essa

On Saturday 5th September the 2009 Gorsedd was held at Saltash.

In the morning the Lostwithiel Town Band led a procession of Bards, local dignatories and the Mace bearers carrying the ancient town maces. The Mayor Cllr Sue Hooper M.B.E. wecomed the Gorsedd and presented Gwenenen with a framed picture showing all the historical sites in Saltash.

The afternoon ceremony took place in Longstone Park with more than 300 Bards present including 6 from Australia.

The gorsedd was opened with the customary cry of peace. Delegates were present from Wales and Brittany, and included in the ceremony for the first time was the joining of the sword, a symbol of the uniting of the three Celtic nations.

For further details click here.

Gwenenen

For a tribute click here.

click here.

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