In 2008 the Gorsedh Kernow is coming to Looe.  The following article is written by our Mayor, Ron Overd. Not only does the article cover the forthcoming Gorsedh but also the "Cornish Homecoming" both in 2008.


The Gorsedd of Cornwall, or to give its Cornish language title, Gorsedh Kernow, is an organisation dedicated to preserving Cornwall’s unique Celtic spirit, through literature, language music and the arts, and the recognition of all forms of important service to Cornwall, and its people. It is neither political nor religious, although some of its members are active in Cornish politics, and church services in Cornish are held on special occasions. It is allied to the Gorsedds of Wales and Brittany and has strong links with both these Celtic countries.

 
It cannot be stressed too strongly that it has no connection with Druidism or any Pagan practice.

In ancient Celtic times Bards, story tellers poets and singers, had great importance as keepers of the heritage and they held places of high honour at important assemblies regularly held at venerated sites throughout Britain.

Looe, through the Town Council, has been asked to host the 2008 Gorsedh Kernow, which is to take place during the first weekend of September 2008, that is the 6th and 7th, with the main ceremony on the 6th and the Gorsedd church service on the 7th Septemeber.

Because of the number of people involved, the space required for the ceremony, and the administrative load this places on the organising committee, we have through the good grace of the Community School arranged for it to take place there and on the Barbican sports field.
However there are a number of inter-related tasks that need to be carried out to make sure that this very prestigious event goes without a hitch, including moving large numbers of chairs and tables around, car parking attendants, tea makers and servers, concert attendants and so on.

Tied in with this will be the periodic Dehwelans event, which is the Cornish Homecoming. There are reckoned to be scattered around the world some 6 million descendants of the Cornish 18th, 19th and 20th century migrant families, some of whom have formed overseas Cornish Associations and which some 6 years ago expressed an interest to return for holidays to Cornwall to research family trees, visit family graves and villages and to absorb the Cornish culture etc.
They will be formally in Looe for the week leading up to the Gorsedd, which we hope to make a week of celebration and fun for our visitors and locals alike, with concerts, singing and dancing, cultural events, and so on, a real festive week for all the family. It is the last part week of the school holidays so it is an opportunity for a fantastic fun week for everyone.

The purpose of this page is to alert you to these events and to ask your assistance in what ever way you feel you may be able, perhaps making and serving the tea, assisting in the movement of furniture, the loan of a vehicle to help move stuff around and so on. This is early days yet, but we do need to get things moving, if we leave it too late we will be running like mad just to catch up, and this highly prestigious event, attracting a considerable number of overseas visitors, who will stay in local hotels, B&B, etc, and use local pubs and restaurants, will suffer, and along with it the reputation of Looe as a preferred tourist destination.

The contact address for returns and responses is care of Ron Overd, the Looe Town Council, Fore Street East Looe, Cornwall PL13 1AA, Tel Office 01503 2622255, home 01503 2656733, email office looetowncouncil@btinternet.com or home at mail to: toms-overd@talk21.com

Yours sincerely


Ron Overd.

 

There follows a few photos taken at recent Gorsedds.  The photos show the Bards processing and the banners of the various Old Cornwall Societies being carried.  You may recognise our banner carried by John Enever, and also a past President, Jack Sweet when he was made a Bard at the Hayle Gorsedd.  Also shown is Carol Vivian one of our Life Vice Presidents, who was made a Bard at the Pensilva Gorsedd. Anyone care to take a stab at the year when the Gorsedd was at Pensilva?