The Council of Gorsedh Kernow is delighted to announce that the new Grand Bard elect is Merv Davey from Withiel.
Merv, whose Bardic name in Cornish is Telynor an Weryn meaning Folk Harper, was made a bard in 1978 at the Merry Maidens stone circle near St Buryan, West Cornwall, through examination in the Cornish language, Kernewek.
“It is a great honour to be elected as the next Grand Bard of Cornwall,” said Merv, accepting the invitation, “and a wonderful opportunity to work with Gorsedh Kernow in promoting, and sharing my enthusiasm for, Cornwall’s distinctive culture and Celtic identity.”
Merv Davey, and current Grad Bard Maureen Fuller
Merv qualified as a social worker in 1974 and has worked in a variety of social care situations, most recently as sensory team manager for Cornwall Council. In 2005 he undertook postgraduate research with Exeter University’s Institute of Cornish Studies which led to the award of a Doctorate in 2011. His thesis explored the fascinating world of Cornish folk tradition and identity and is due to be published as a book later this year.
Affectionately known as “Dr Folk”, Merv Davey was born in Newquay and lists among his many interests Cornish studies, folk dance, guizing and kayaking. He was one of the founders of Lowender Peran, Cornwall’s own Celtic festival, and plays banjo for the North Cornwall Ceilidh Band. It is, however, as a Cornish Bagpiper at the head of parades and processions that he will be recognised by many.
“The highlight of my year is doing duty as Bodmin Town Piper on St Piran’s Day,” said Merv, “and at the end of the procession we lead some 500 children through some Cornish dances and they have an absolute ball.”
Dr Davey has been elected for a period of three years. The only candidate nominated by the College of Bards and following the agreed procedures laid down in the Gorsedh Kernow constitution, he will assume full duties as Grand Bard of Cornwall at the Open Gorsedh bardic ceremony to be held at St Austell on Saturday 5th September 2015.
His role as Deputy Grand Bard will be conferred at the same ceremony, to Elizabeth Carne, Melennek, who was elected to this role by the College of Bards last year.
That main bardic ceremony, where awards and prizes are presented and bardships conferred, will be held on Saturday 5th September in Poltair Park, St Austell, as part of Gorsedh Kernow’s Esedhvos Festival of Cornish culture, which runs from Tuesday 1st – Sunday 6th September 2015.
Gorsedh Kernow 20 April, 2015
Proclamation in St Austell April 2105
A proclamation ceremony was recently held at St Austell and video of that can be seen at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7hfG0klZ1o9n76lcKFA1KRLgvdqnPlpR
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