Geoff Orient - Howldrehevel
 It’s seven years since I first met Geoff in the pub ‘The New Inn’ in Mabe. We were in a group of Cornish speakers who had come together for the evening to share the pleasure of conversation and, of course, something to drink.
As soon as I started to chat with Geoff, I knew that here was a man who could become a good friend of mine – something that was to be proven over the ensuing years. Geoff had been learning Cornish, and at that time was with us to improve his spoken Cornish, something he had no problem in achieving, as was demonstrated the following year, when he gained success in his examinations.
From then on I spent a lot of time with Geoff, through our work in supporting the language, Cornish culture, and indeed, everything Cornish, and with each meeting our friendship grew stronger and stronger. Through his fluency in Cornish, Geoff became a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd, and before long was elected to the Council. As far I know, he only missed one meeting, and this was to represent, along with Sue, Cornwall, at the Breton Gorsedd. There also Geoff made new friends – something it seems to me, was so easy for him to do.
And Geoff did not only serve on the Gorsedd Council, he took part in everything that was organised by it. If I wanted something done, or the Secretary had need of help over something, never did Geoff say, “I can’t.” He was always ready to give his support. I can say as Grand Bard, Geoff would have, as the man he was, progressed far within the Gorsedd. And it wasn’t only within the Gorsedd that Geoff worked with the same enthusiasm. In every society he was the same – if there was chance for him to help, he would.
Geoff also loved the sea, and owned his own sailing boat, in which he used to sail around Cornwall and sometimes across to Brittany. We spent many an hour together chatting about the sea, and because I was a fisherman many years ago, he would ask thousands of questions about the sea and how things were in those long-gone days. As was usual, our chats were accompanied by a glass or two of wine, and always when I would say to him for example, “Why don’t we get together for a chat – with a glass or two of wine of course,” he would look at me with a twinkle in his eye and a big smile and say the same words, “That would be a good idea,”
Where is the justice in this world, where a man so good, so full of life, and liked by so many people is taken so early? But although he has been so cruelly snatched away from us, he will be with me – and with us all – for our entire lives.
Rod Lyon (Tewennow)
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