GORSEDH KERNOW
The Celtic Spirit of Cornwall
LYTHER BARDHEK - BARDIC NEWSLETTER
Mis Du 2016 bys dhe vis Genver 2017/ November 2016 to January 2017
Messach Bardh Meur / Grand Bard’s message
Mater an Or / The Border Issue
We are faced with an ever increasing threat to our precious Cornish cultureand we face one of our toughest challenges persuading the government to Keep Kernow Whole by agreeing to the smallest of changes to legislation. I urge all bards, their friends and families to write personal letters to Government minister Chris Skidmore MP, Minister for the Constitution, their own MP and the Boundary Commission in support of the “Keep Kernow Whole” campaign. There is a “toolkit” of facts and helpful phrases, with several updates since it was first posted, on the Gorsedh Kernow website, please see or click on the link ‘Toolkit’ on the bards news page on the website.
If you haven’t yet written your letter there is still time to do so before the end of the first period of public consultation which ends on Tuesday 6th December. There is also a series of public hearings with the Boundary Commission and in the “South West” they are 7/8 November in Exeter; 10/11 November in Truro; 14/15 November in Poole,Dorset and 17/18 November in Bristol and you can book a 10 minute speaking slot at any of these events. These events are FREE. Further info from Boundary Commission website via this link
Henwyn rag Kannas Bardh Meur / Nominations for Deputy Grand Bard
It seems such a short time ago that I became Bardh Meur and Elizabeth Carne, Melennek was elected as Kannas Bardh Meur but I would like to ask you all to begin thinking about “the succession” please, i.e. the next Deputy Grand Bard/Grand Bard. Unless exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise, it is understood that the Deputy Grand Bard elect will take over as Grand Bard after a term of three years without a further election. The formal procedure will beginstraight away. David Holman, Membership Secretary, has agreed once again to be the Returning Officer for the election process and your nominations are therefore invited. Nominations must be received in writing by two bards as proposer and seconder and all such nominations must be accompanied by the written consent of the candidate and a short election address. Nominations must reach the Returning Officer by 31st March 2017 and should be sent by email to
Arghas Kemmyn Gorsedh Kernow / Gorsedh Kernow Endowment Fund
If you braved the wind and rain on bardic Saturday in St Keverne you may have seenBert Biscoe, Vyajor Gans Geryow, talking to fellow bards and visitors about the Gorsedh Kernow Capital Endowment Fund.The Endowment Fund’s capital sum will provide interest to support the development of Cornish culture. If you donate a sum each month (by Direct Debit), or make a single donation, or bequeath a sum to the Fundyou will be contributing to the long-term future of Cornish identity and culture.By making our own money work for Cornish culture we can lever-in matching funds. If we create a sustainable base for cultural development it will flourish. If we don’t, it will wither. All our combined efforts over generations will have been wasted. Please consider donating. More info from Bert Biscoe, (please specify GKEF as email subject please).
Gans gorhemynadow an gwella
Telynor an Weryn, Bardh Meur Kernow / Merv Davey, Grand Bard of Cornwall
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Lannstefan dhe vos ost rag 2017 a dheklaryas Gorsedh Kernow / Gorsedh Kernow announces Launceston as host town for 2017
Following a joint announcement by Bardh Meur and the current Mayor of Launceston Cllr Brian Hogan, a press release has been sent out announcing the 2017 dates of the Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture and bardic ceremony as Wednesday 30th August (starting date to be confirmed) until Sunday 3rd September, with the bardic ceremony on Saturday 2nd September 2017.
The Proclamation and AGM will be held on Saturday 22nd April 2017 in Launceston. Details to follow in the next newsletter.
Taking up the border issue (as mentioned above in the Grand Bard’s message) Cllr Brian Hogan, Mayor of Launceston, pointed out the obvious contradiction by Government of Cornwall’s official recognition in 2014 of the Cornish as a National Minority alongside Wales and Scotland. He said “The people of Cornwall have fought long and hard to preserve their sense of identity. They are not keen on centuries of history being pushed aside because of Government red tape. There’s a lot of anger around here. Cornwall is passionate about its own identity.”
Hwarfosow Piran / St Piran events
After the success of last year’s effort, we will once again be gathering information about events celebrating St Piran. If you are involved with any Piran event it would be great to receive information about it, including a contact tel number and/or email of the organiser. Events for 2016 are listed on the Gorsedh Kernow website so you have some idea of what we are looking for. Please send details of your St Piran events to Delia Brotherton, Myrghwyn Melynor on Meur ras /many thanks.
Rohow Nadelek / Christmas Gifts
Why not give Cornish books, diaries, calendars, DVDs or St Justin jewellery (all our St Justin profits go to the Gorsedh Kernow Endowment Fund) for Christmas, you will also be helping to raise funds for Gorsedh Kernow.
Here is one the latest lines from the St Justin range – beautiful Heritage pendant and drop or stud earrings in copper and Cornish tin. Prices are shown below the, please add P & P. Place your order now for Christmas delivery through the Gorsedh Kernow website
£30£25.50£25
There is also an order form for the Sarah Lay range of Cornish calendars and desk diaries with this newsletter.
The latest books from Gorsedh Kernow include“Scryfer - Robert Victor Walling 1895-1976. Bard and Journalist” and “Cornish Bards of Australia and New Zealand/Berdh Kernow Ostrali ha Mordir Nowydh. Part 1”. All these items make really good and unusual gifts and are light and non fragile for posting.
Diskwedhyans Kernow Riel 2018 / Royal Cornwall Show 2018
A new campaign has been launched by Gorsedh Kernow to restore Cornish culture to the centre of the Royal Cornwall Show in 2018. A meeting of interested parties took place early in October and we agreed to actively pursue the initiative. A further meeting will take place in January 2017. If you would like to know more about this exciting new project please contact Delia Brotherton, Myrghwyn Melynor, by email on
Pewasow ha Kesstrifow Gorsedh Kernow/Gorsedh Kernow Awards and Competitions
Following a very well received Awards evening in St Keverne during the Esedhvos Festival and subsequent feedback about this year’s new scheme we have decided to re-instate for 2017 the Competitions element of the Adults scheme for Yeth Kernewek (Cornish Language), Rannyeth (Dialect), Studhyansow Kernewek (Cornish Studies) and Skeusenieth (Photography). Adults Awards for Creativity and Community Service remain the same. The scheme for Young People will remain as Awards only. Entries are now invited for the 2017 Awards and Competitions and full information and details for entry can be found on the Gorsedh Kernow website via the link
Winners of the adults awards this year were delighted to be presented with one of the new Awen medallions. There is a gallery of photos and details of a selection of this year’s winners, please click on and follow the links.
There is also a new full colour leaflet for Adults Awards and Competitions and a separate one for Young People’s Awards which will be available to pick up at a variety of outlets.
PLEASE NOTE THE EARLIER CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS 31ST MARCH in each year.
Kovheans / In Memoriam
We are sad to report news, unfortunately received too late for inclusion in the previous newsletter, of the death of bard Julian Metherall DAVEY, Mab an Orwho died on Friday 5th August. He was made a bard in 1997 at Bodmin.
Also we are sad to report news of the death of bard William Henry (Bill) WILLIAMS, Scodhyer Curyow, who died on Thursday 8 September in a care home, where he had been since 2014. Bill was born in 1934 and was barded in 1982 at St Just for services to Male Voice Choirs. He was a Pharmaceutical Chemist and a JP. His funeral was held on Saturday 24thSeptember at St. John's Church, Bodmin Road, St Austell.
Also we have sad news of the death of George Rodney Vaughan-Ellis, Penser, who passed away, aged 90 at the Beechlawn Nursing Home, Liskeard, on Friday 23rd September. George was made a bard in 2007 at Penzance. In 2012 he co-organised a very successful exhibition commemorating the life and work of poet John Harris as part of the John Harris Festival in Stuart House, Liskeard. He was Burgess of Liskeard, a rotarian and long time member of Liskeard Old Cornwall Society. There was no funeral as George left his remains for medical research, but a memorial service to celebrate his life was held at Liskeard Methodist Church on Saturday 29th October.
Also we are sorry to report the death of Dr Ronald (Ron) PERRY, Scryfer Negys, who died peacefully at home on Wednesday 7th September. Ron was born in London in March 1928 and was barded at Liskeard in 1996 for his contribution to the solid economic knowledge of Cornwall.He was Head of Faculty of Management, Cornwall College 1965-87. His funeral was held at Penmount Crematorium on Monday 19thSeptember.
Two fellow bards said the following about Scryfer Negys..
Bernard Deacon, Crakkya Lewen
“Very sad to hear of Ron Perry's passing. His ground-breaking research on counter-urbanisation in the early 1980s has still not been matched and he co-wrote‘Cornwall at the Crossroads’ in the late 1980s. Later, Ron produced a series of illuminating works on aspects of Cornwall's local history and will be particularly remembered for his work on Silvanus Trevail and the clay industry.Cornwall will certainly be a much poorer place without people like Ron.”
Garry Tregidga, Map Rosvean
“Very sorry to hear about the death of Dr Ronald Perry.Ron was formerly head of business studies at Cornwall College and a leading contributor to ‘Cornwall since the War' and 'Cornwall at the Crossroads'. He also wrote extensively on historical topics like Trevail the architect, 1913 Clay Strike, Celtic Tourism and the Cornish economy before the First World War. A good friend of the Institute of Cornish Studies and a real gentleman who encouraged younger scholars and genuine academic research.”
Dedhyow dydhlyver / Diary dates
Thurs 3rd–Sun 6th November Lowender Peran Festival of the Celts, Newquay the “Cornish Expo” Heritage Exhibition on Sun 6th 11am-4pm. Gorsedh Kernow will be there.
Thurs 3rd November 7pm Launch of Bernard Deacon’s new book “Cornwall’s First Golden Age”, Cornish Studies Library, Redruth
Weds 9th November 2pm Film “Newlyn Pilchard Industry”, Morrab Library, Penzance with John Potter, Den Pen Kernow
Thurs 10th and Friday 11th November Boundary Commission Public Consultation hearings, Lys Kernow, Truro. Book your 10 minute speaking slot or come along and listen. Please see
Sat 26th November 10am–5pm Federation of Old Cornwall Societies Winter Festival, Saltash Methodist Chapel. Gorsedh Kernow will be there with books and St Justin jewellery for sale.
Sun 27thNovember 3pm Advent Service Budock Parish Church, nr Falmouth
Fri 2nd December 7.30pm Film “Levant Mine”with John Potter, Den Pen Kernow, Hayle OCS Passmore Edwards Institute
Sat 17th and Sun 18th December 11am-4pm Christmas Sale at Kowsva, Heartlands, Pool (Part of Heartlands Christmas Market weekend)
Sun 18th December 2.30pm Christmas Service St Ive Methodist Chapel, nr Liskeard
Sun 1stJanuary 20173pm Christmas Service Bridge Methodist Chapel, nr Portreath
Sun 8th January 2017 3pm Epiphany Gulval Parish Church, nr Penzance
Dedhyow avonsys / Advanced dates
Saturday 22ndApril 2017 Gorsedh Kernow Proclamation and AGM in Launceston. Further details in the next newsletter.
Nessa Lyther Newodhow Bardhek/Next Bardic Newsletter
News and information to be included in the next newsletter for February, March & April 2017, should be submitted to Delia Brotherton, Myrghwyn Melynor, Communications Officer by email to by the 15thof January 2017 please. If you have an email address and wish to receive the newsletter electronically please tell the Membership Secretary, David Holman on Although everyone receives the quarterly newsletter there are often “short notice” events that members who receive paper copy will not hear about. You can also catch up with the latest news about Gorsedh Kernow on our website or you can or follow us on
If you use Facebook or Twitter it would be great if you would please “LIKE” the Gorsedh Kernow Facebook page and “FOLLOW” the GK Twitter page. Meur ras bras – many thanks.
Terebo nessa / Until next time………. Myrghwyn Melynor / Delia Brotherton.