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Page 6 of 16 Gorseth Kernow What is Gorseth Kernow? The Gorseth is an important institution in Cornish cultural and civic life. It has the stated aim of maintaining and expressing the national spirit of Cornwall as a Celtic country and of promoting all branches of Cornish culture and heritage including the Cornish language. Who’s who in Gorseth Kernow? The Gorseth acts as a form of honours system within the Cornish world. At present there are some 490 bards, led by Grand Bard Vanessa Beeman. All bards have an individual bardic name in Cornish and all have a remit to work for the spirit of Cornwall on behalf of the Gorseth.  Bard Pol Hodge (Mab Stenak Vur), the sword bearer for the Cornish Gorseth. Where, why, how? The Gorseth holds an important annual public ceremony, largely in the Cornish language, where bards wear the distinctive blue costume. Here new bards are admitted to the College of Bards. Next year this will be held in Looe. The Gorseth literary competitions publicise many approaches to Cornishness and are especially useful at promoting an interest in Cornish culture within schools. The Grand Bard and members of the Gorseth Council have a busy calendar, serving on community and heritage committees and attending many Cornish events here and overseas. The Gorseth also campaigns for Cornish rights, including working for the recognition of the Cornish as a national minority and for a designated tick box in the 2011 census. Details: www.gorsethkernow.org.uk |
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