Gorseth Kernow:

Competition Results, 2002
 

This was a good year for the Gorseth competitions, possibly partly due to the fact that we now have a web site, and there was some extra publicity at Dehwelans in May. This resulted in more than 150 adult entries, and getting on for 600 entries from the under-18s.

The Cornish language classes were of a high standard, with Dr Ken George winning the Rosebowl, the highest prize, this year. There was also a welcome entry for the first time in Modern Cornish, and it was good enough for Philippa Vivian, its author, to receive a Certificate from the Grand Bard. The Trophy for the class for relative beginners, though, goes to Pauline Howard.

There were some excellent essays on Cornish topics this year, too, ranging from the winning essay by John Jenkin on Edwin Chirgwin, a poet who was also "Historian, folklorist and influential teacher who helped countless children acquire the elements of the language", to tapestries and adders!

The Poetry classes were well supported, too, this year. More than 33 poems were written on a Cornish theme by children throughout Cornwall. The Adult Class on poetry about Cornwall was won by an American, Peg Aloi, from Massachusetts, with a compatriot coming third - a spin-off from the Cornish Homecoming? The winning poem was on Boscawen-un. Michael Dundrow from Madron came second - the small community of Madron is very well represented in the winning entries!

The Judges of both the adults' and the children's art competitions commented on the high standard and the difficulty in choosing the winners. The comment on the children's entries was: "The greater number of entries each year and the ever higher standard of work submitted are most gratifying to all of us on the receiving end", and this year there was created "an avalanche of exciting paintings". The final choices can be seen in the exhibition at the Open Gorseth in Pensilva on September 7th 2002.

Pensilva School pulled out all the stops and sent in a host of entries, ending up with a First, a Second and a Third Prize, plus numerous degrees of Commendation. Ben Kirk, the First Prize winner, will receive his award from the Grand Bard.

There were exciting entries, too, in the Poetry and Short Story Classes. The latter entries were mostly "very pleasing. The children were interested and involved and wrote well. Many had a real feeling for the Cornish landscape and a sense of involvement with the subject."

 
Report by Gwenenen (Vanessa Beeman)