Gorsedh yn Hellys, 2011 –
Helston hosted the Open Gorsedh ceremony and associated activities for 2011 on Saturday 3 September at the Penrose Amenity Area, Helston.
The ceremony was conducted by the Grand Bard (Bardh Meur), Mick Paynter (Skogynn Pryv) assisted by the Gorsedd Officers.
Though it turned rainy over 200 Bards came from across Cornwall, the UK, and indeed the world to attend.
Many Bards overseas were delighted to hear that among their number again was (99 year old) Marjorie Trevanion. Neil Thomas travelled from Australia to be installed by the Grand Bard.
Helston's Grylls Monument carried a welcome to the Gorsedh
Bards processed after robing and instructions, from the Wesley Chapel and Hall, along Coinagehall Street and Porthleven Road, to the Penrose Amenity Area.
New Bards were installed, deceased Bards remembered, and many awards and prizes were given in the various cultural competitions and community recognitions by the Gorsedh.
Bards and honoured guests adjourned to a tea in the Godolphin Club at 5pm, while many family, friends and guests also had tea at another venue.
The public Gorsedh Concert was also at 7pm in Helston Wesley Church on the night, and there were a number of pieces played that were arranged by bard Goff Richards, who dies earlier this year.
On the Sunday an Ecumenical Church Service in the Cornish language was held in St. Michael’s Parish Church, Helston.
In the Gorsedh week, there were exhibitions and events organized by Esedhvos Kernow. A number of official stalls at the site in the Penrose Amenity Area promoted Celtic Cornwall and sold Cornish language books and Cornish memorabilia on the day prior to the ceremony.
To coincide with the event the Gorsedd’s archive and publications committee produced a companion collection of short biographies of 40 deceased bards who had connection with the Helston area. This also took in the nearby parishes of Breage, Crowan, Porthleven, Sithney, Wendron, and also The Lizard.
The Gorsedd Council expressed gratitude to the Helston Local Organising Committee, who worked tirelessly to give us a memorable day, the local Old Cornwall Society, the Vicar & Congregation of St. Michael’s Parish Church, and to local organisations and volunteers and the whole community for their welcome and for the help given – without whose assistance the ceremony could not be staged.
Video footage:
The Procession to the Ceremony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTHatAqt4V8&feature=related
Ceremony commencement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XtWvKdQ_Co
New Bards
New Bards installed at Hellys, 2011 were:
Mr Albert Bock – Wien, Austria
For services to the Cornish Language.
Mrs. Tracey Clowes – Constantine
For services to Cornish Heritage.
Mrs. Liz Coole – Moonta, South Australia
For services to Cornish Heritage in South Australia.
Dr. Roger Courtenay – Rotherhithe, London
By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing
work for Cornwall.
Mr. Neil Derek Davey – Carn Brea, Redruth
For services to Cornish Music.
Mr. David Holman – Polgooth, St. Austell
For services to Cornish Family History.
Mr. John Hosken – Brentwood, Essex
For the promotion of Cornwall through the media.
Mrs. Felicity Ann Jenkin – Newbridge, Penzance
For services to the rural community in West Cornwall.
Mr. Tony Mansell – Goonown, St. Agnes
For services to Cornish heritage and research.
Mr. Robert Reynolds – Plymouth
By examination in the Cornish language and continuing
work for Cornwall.
Mr. Rodney Richards – St Austell
For services to music and youth in mid Cornwall.
Mrs. Janet Spargo – Helston
For services to Cornish Heritage; particularly in the
Helston area.
Mr. Philip Taylor – Tideford, Saltash
For services to music in S.E. Cornwall.
Mr. Neil David Thomas – North Geelong, Victoria, Australia
For services to Cornwall in Victoria, Australia.
Mr. Mark Trevethan – Brixton, London
By examination in the Cornish language and continuing
work for Cornwall.
More about Helston and the 2011 Gorsedh gathering:
http://www.gorsethkernow.org.uk/english/news/helston2011/helston2011.htm
Gorsedh Kernow web site: http://www.gorsethkernow.org.uk/
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Compiled by Kevrenor, Cornish Bard, from a range of material.
Bards in Australia: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~kevrenor/gorseth.html
5 September, 2011
[Thanks to past Grand Bard Vanessa Beaman for the photo of Grylls Monument on the day, and to the Gorsedh for the new Bards video]
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