Bard of Bath
The Bard of Bath is the winner of an annual competition to find Bath's best poet, singer or storyteller. The Bard uses the title to develop artistic projects in the area and leads evening bardic walks around the city.
The title resurrects an Iron-Age Celtic Druid tradition where Druids were the law-makers, judges and ceremonial leaders, Ovates were mediums, healers and prophets and Bards were poets, musicians and history-keepers. All of them held high status and a place in mystical/religious circles.[1]
Each Chaired Bard becomes a member of the Gorsedd and retains their title (specified by year). The current Bard of Bath, as of June 2014, is Sheila Broun.
Winners
1. Tim Sebastian, 1996β97 2. Richard Carder, 1997-8 3. Kevan Manwaring, 1998-9 4. Olivia Hicks, 1999β2000 5. Julian Landau, 2000-1 6. Brendan Georgeson, 2001-2 7. Mark Lindsey Earley, 2002-3 8. Helen Moore, 2003-4 9. Jordan Ashley Hill 2004-5 10. Mo the Peopleβs Nun, 2005-6 11. Ash Mandrake, 2006β2007 12. Thommie Gillow, 2007β2008 13. Master Duncan, 2008β2009[2] 14. Jack Dean, 2009β2010 15. Jennifer Walter 2010-2012 (re-elected) [3] 2012-2013 No Chair awarded 16. Mark Westmore 2013-2014 http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/New-Bard-Bath-chosen/story-19284587-detail/story.html 17. Sheila Broun 2014-2015 http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/New-Bard-Bath-announced/story-21269678-detail/story.html
References
- β "Bard of Bath". Bard of Bath. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- β "Poet is new Bard of Bath". Bath Chronicle. This is Bath. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- β http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bristol/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_9307000/9307684.stm