BUDE Castle will be the dramatic location for the annual Gorsedh Kernow ceremony as it returns to the public stage.

Thirteen new bards are set to be welcomed into the College of Bards on September 4 in recognition of their outstanding work in serving Cornwall.

“Gorsedh Kernow was established with the aim of celebrating and promoting Cornwall’s distinctive Celtic culture, said Grand Bard Elizabeth Carne, whose bardic name is Melennek.

“Many of this year’s new bards are honoured for working in their community to nurture and promote Cornish culture.

“Some have recorded the history of their parish and its archaeology, some have been spokespeople for the current needs of their community, and others have recorded our landscape and way of life through painting, poetry and film.

“Some have used Kernewek, our language, to promote Kernow, while others have fostered relationships with other Celtic countries through music.”

Two of the new bards live in Australia, where they work to celebrate their ancestors’ culture and conserve the Cornish way of life brought ‘Down Under’ from their homeland.

“In whatever ways, they have all demonstrated their love and commitment for Cornwall, and Gorsedh Kernow is proud to have them in the College of Bards.”

After a year of absence, the bardic ceremony will be held in the Castle grounds in Bude at 2pm on Saturday, September 4 and all are welcome. A concert will follow at 6.30pm at the bandstand.

On the Sunday at 10am, there will be the chance to try your hand at the Cornish language in an open, fun session in Stratton Lecture Hall. A guided walk around Stratton will follow at 12pm (meet at the car park). The weekend finishes with Evensong at the Parish church in Stratton at 3pm.

The new bards for 2021 are:

Michael BUNNEY, Gorran Haven — For promoting Cornish culture and identity through exceptional service to St Gorran Parish.

Barbara GRIGGS, Tregeare, Launceston — For the promotion of Cornish culture and identity through music.

Alice HOLLAND-BYWATERS, Helston — By examination in the Cornish language and continuing work for Kernow.

Anne KENNEDY-TRUSCOTT, Liskeard — For promoting Cornish/Irish relations through music.

Jo MARCH, Gunnislake — For promoting and recording Cornwall’s unique culture, identity and landscape through painting.

Terry MOYLE, South Darenth — For exceptional community service to the Parish of St Keverne.

Ken PEAK, Victoria, Australia — For promoting Cornish identity in Australia.

Kenneth RICKARD, St Dennis — For his exceptional community service to the Parish of St Dennis.

Colin ROBERTS, Mullion — For promoting Cornish culture and identity throughout his life.

Adrian RODDA, Camborne — For promoting Cornish heritage and identity through poetry, history, and archaeology.

Bill SCOTT, Constantine — For embracing Cornish identity and culture in the media.

Tamsin SPARGO, Redruth — For being a valuable supporter of Cornish culture and language.

Liesl WARNER, South Australia — For promoting Cornish identity in Australia.