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Gorsedh KernowThe Cornish Gorsedd 1928 - 2009De Sadorn an 5ves Mys Gwyngala 2009.
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 The border town of Saltash (Cornish Essa), often called the Gateway to Cornwall, is built on a site where an ancient road crosses the Tamar. The menhir from which Longstone Park takes its name shows that this was an important site before the arrival of the Romans. In the 9th century Anglo-Saxon settlers started to infiltrate the area eventually creating a manor based around the village of Trematon. A ferry across the Tamar estuary belonged to the manor, and a 100 acre foothold on the east bank, the Cornish Patch, remained a part of Cornwall until 1844. In 1068, two years after the Norman Conquest there was rebellion in the Southwest. To deal with it, castles, including Trematon Castle were built. Trematon was 1½ miles SE of the village and the administration of the Manor was moved to it. A market and a borough were established outside the castle which became a Barony comprising 59 manors in SE Cornwall and SW Devon. For 200 years the Valletort family held the Barony and circa 1175 one of them founded a new borough at Saltash adjoining the existing ferry. Better positioned than Trematon this soon prospered developing as a port and in 1270 Saltash and Trematon Castle became part of the Earldom of Cornwall, to be succeeded by the new Duchy of Cornwall in 1337. Successive overlords leased to Saltash various activities such as fisheries, oysterage, collecting dues for anchorage, buoyage, barges, etc in the Tamar and the adjoining estuaries. These liberties became known as the Liberty of the Water Tamar and were granted outright to Saltash by Queen Elizabeth by charter in 1585. There were disputes but the jurisdiction was exercised by Saltash until 1900 and the ferry rights were held by the borough until the opening of the Tamar bridge in 1961. During the Civil War, 1642-1646, Saltash suffered extensive damage. The ferry gave it a strategic position and although the town was basically Royalist, it changed hands at least seven times during the conflict. Numerous buildings were destroyed and recovery took many years. Spin-offs from the growth of the Royal Naval Dockyard downstream were factors in the town’s resurgence during the 18th century. Two sloops for the Navy were built in Saltash in 1757 and 1758.  Fore Street / Stret A-Rag By the start of the 19th century the Waterside area of Saltash was a vibrant community again. Saltash regatta was founded in 1835. Tamar street, the oldest in town, had numerous shellfish shops, which gave rise to its nickname : Pickle Cockle Alley. The town produced many champion rowers, of whom Ann Glanville was the most famous. Between 1830 and 1850,, she and her crews of Saltash women were seldom beaten, even against male competitors. In 1832 the first steam powered ‘floating bridge’ running along chains was installed at the ferry. It was only the second of its type anywhere in the world. Its designer was the brilliant young engineer, James Meadows Rendel. The engineer-genius Isambard K. Brunel managed to fit the Royal Albert Bridge and the railway station with the loss of only five buildings. In 1859 his masterpiece was opened by the Prince Consort, after whom it was named. Saltash, now amalgamated with St. Stephens as a new borough in 1934 suffered severe damage and nine fatalities during wartime bombardment in April 1941. The town became a civil parish opting for town status in 1974 when local government was reorganized. Civic Reception in the Town CenterThis ceremony is to welcome the Gorsedd to the town. It is hoped that many Bards will join the ceremony which will process from Wesley Church at 10.15 to an area adjacent to the Town Hall for the short ceremony at 10.30 am. There are charitable events also taking place at Wesley.
Public Transport There are direct trains from Penzance to Saltash on 5th Sept leaving at 6:01, 7:22, 9:25 and 9:55, these are stopping trains taking about two hours so that the 9:55 is the last one for the ceremony. For National Rail Enquiries: call www.nationalrail.co.uk The Gorsedh site: Longstone ParkThe route from the main roads will be marked by black and yellow Gorseth Kernow signs.Seating: The chairs forming the Bardic circle are for Bards and Dignitaries only. Visitors can view the ceremony from the outside of the circle of Bardic chairs, and are asked not to intrude into the Bardic circle. Wet Weather: In the event of wet weather, the Gorsedd will take place in Wesley Church. Photography: No photographers will be allowed in the circle during the ceremony. Stalls: A number of official stalls at the site will be selling Cornish language books and Cornish memorabilia on the day.. Details from Keskerdh Kernow,,PO Box 28, Redruth or call Jenefer Lowe tel . Exhibitions and events: Over the seven days commencing Ist September there will be exhibitions and events organized by Esedhvos Kernow which will be advertised separately, your attendance will be welcome. For general information phone ATJ on 2 or pellgowser@btinternet.com Ceremony Booklet: By tradition the ceremony is conducted mainly in Cornish and the booklet with proceedings in English and Cornish is available at a small cost.  Wesley Church Public concert: This will be held in Wesley Church, Callington Road, Saltash and will commence at 7.15 p.m. Tickets price £6.00 Formal Tea: For Bards and specially invited guests only. This will be in the Wesley Church. Please be there by 4.45p.m. for Grace in Cornish. There are facilities elsewhere in Saltash for those not permitted to attend the formal tea. Please note that the closing date for tea tickets will be strictly adhered to from this year. Tickets will be provided without cost and seats reserved on the top table for the invited guests. Tickets for the Evening Concert will be provided on the same basis. Commemorative Mugs: Attractive mugs are being produced as a souvenir at a cost of £5.00, these should be ordered through the booking form. Celtic Delegates: The Gorsedd welcomes the Breton and the Welsh representatives. We hope they have a memorable time. The Gorsedd Council is very grateful to Saltash Town Council Members, who have done a tremendous amount of the local organisation, the local Old Cornwall Society, the Ministers & Congregations of the Wesley Church and St Nicholas and Faith Church, and to local organisations and volunteers for their welcome and for the help given, without whose assistance our ceremony could not be staged. Gorseth Kernow – Saltash, 5th September 2009
14:15 Bardic Procession leaves for the Circle. To facilitate the work of the Marshals and Stewards in forming the procession, it is requested that Bards and guests acquaint themselves with the linear order of the procession, which is as follows:-
14:30 The Gorseth Ceremony will begin. 16:15 Installation of New Grand Bard and Deputy Grand Bard 16:45 Return of Procession to Wesley Church. 16:45 Prompt! Bardic Tea in the Dining Room for the Council`s special guests and bards who have pre-booked. 19:30-22:00 Public Concert in the Wesley Church.
Marshal, Piper, Gorsedd Banner, Initiates, Bards, St. Piran’s Banner, Council Members, Esethvos Banner, Mistress of Robes and Herald, Chanter and Chaplain, Horner, Dancers, Lady and Attendants., Past Deputy Grand Bards, Past Grand Bards, Secretary and Treasurer, Breton Banner, Breton Reps., Welsh Banner, Welsh Reps., Deputy Grand Bard, Sword Bearer, Grand Bard, Junior Marshal, Deputy Senior Steward, Banners O.C.S.
Sunday 6th September  St Nicholas and Faith Church
15:00 Ecumenical Service in Cornish in St Nicholas and St Faith Church. The collection is for the Church, and all are welcome whether Cornish speakers or not. The church is next to the Guildhall at the bottom of Fore Street, close to the Railway Station.
Map   For further information and maps of Saltash please see the Enquiries section of the Saltash Town Council web site - www.saltash.gov.uk. |
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