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Wadebridge is built on the site of an old ford crossing the River Camel, and it was a busy port, sited as it was on the trade route from Ireland to Europe. After the bridge was built, in the fifteenth century, it was described in 1602 by Richard Carew as, “The longest, strongest and fairest that the shire can muster.” It had seventeen arches, and was funded by the Vicar of Egloshayle Church. The head of Cuthbert Mayne, a Roman Catholic priest, was placed on the bridge in 1577, a time in our history when all Catholics were in peril of their lives. St. Breock came to Cornwall from Wales and gave his name to another local church before travelling on to Brittany, as did so many Celtic Saints in the early days of the Christian Church. Trade and agriculture have played a large part in the history of this area. In 1793, the Royal Cornwall Show was founded, with a permanent site at Wadebridge since 1960. In days past, sand barges came up to the site opposite the cinema, with sand for the fields, and ships in full sail came from Finland with timber to exchange for corn. Blocks of granite from De Lank Quarry were loaded to build the Eddystone Lighthouse. The first railway started operating at Wadebridge in 1834, and early stagecoaches arrived at the Molesworth Arms Hotel from St Columb, some eight miles away.  [left] Three Beattie Well Tanks operated on the Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway from the 1890s to the 1960s. One still runs on the Bodmin Steam Railway. [right] The Bodmin & Wadebridge was the third oldest railway in the world. Wadebridge was an important railway junction and the railway was a major employer in the town. The former railway station is now the John Betjeman center. Gorseth Kernow was last held here in 1983, but at the first Gorseth at Boscawen-Un in 1928, the horn calling to Cornwall at all four points of the compass was blown by Arthur Mata, of West Hill, Wadebridge, a founder member of the Wadebridge & District Old Cornwall Society! As always the Gorseth Council is most grateful to Wadebridge Town Councillors, who have helped so much with the preparations, Wadebridge & District Old Cornwall Society, the Young Farmers, the Vicar and Churchwardens at Egloshayle Church, and other local organisations and volunteers for welcoming us so enthusiastically and giving us so much practical help.  [left] Wadebridge Town Hall June 2005. Robing, the Bardic tea and evening concert takes place here. [right] The Bridge on Wool, the Hotel in the centre of Wadebridge. In ancient Celtic times Bards were honoured for their scholarship in poetry, literature, art, music, history and folklore. In them rested the traditions and history of the people. The creation of the Gorseth, or gathering, of the Bards of Cornwall, followed the 18th century revival of the Bardic tradition in Wales. Cornwall’s ceremony and organisation are similar to, but on a smaller scale than those in Wales, where the Gorseth is linked to the National Eisteddfod. The Gorseth is non-political, has no religious affiliation and is non-profit-making. It exists solely to uphold the Celtic traditions of Cornwall and to honour men and women who have made outstanding contributions to Cornwall and its ancient culture, history and language. Public Attendance is Free and welcomed and it is hoped that visitors will regard the ceremony as a mark of the unique difference between Cornwall and the shire counties of England, a difference as marked as that between England and the larger Celtic countries of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The ceremony will be conducted by the Grand Bard, Mr Rodney Trevelyan Lyon, Tewennow, assisted by the Gorseth Officers. Site. On the cricket pitch, Egloshayle Rd. Route - All areas:- (See map at bottom of page). Head towards Wadebridge off the A39. The way to the site will be marked by black and yellow Gorseth Kernow signs.  [left] The ancient bridge built on wool fibres. The outward procession will cross the Camel here. [right] The River Camel and Trail with Egloshayle and the Gorseth site on the far side. The procession will return over the foot bridge. Public Refreshments. There are a number of Cafés and Pubs in the town. Exhibition. During Saturday in The Coffee Corner The Platt, Wadebridge, there will be a display of some of the winning entries in the Gorseth’s annual competitions. Do make a point of touring this unique exhibition. Flower Dancers. The Gorseth are pleased to have The Pamela Darlington School of Dance from Newquay and Bodmin. Miss Pamela is a senior examiner with the British Ballet Organization and she has travelled all over the world in her capacity as an examiner. Wet Weather Alternative. The Gorseth will adjourn to the Town Hall. Ceremony Booklet. By tradition the ceremony is conducted mainly in Cornish but a booklet with proceedings in English and Cornish is available at a small cost. Photography. Photographers are not allowed inside the Circle during the ceremony, but are encouraged to use cameras from outside the circle. Chairs at the Circle are placed for the use of Bards during the ceremony and should not be removed by the public. |
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| Programme |
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| 1405 | The Civic Procession leaves for the Circle |
| 1410 | The Bardic Procession leaves for the Circle, headed by the Marshal and the Piper and followed by the bare-headed initiates, the Bards of Cornwall, the Banner of St Piran, Gorseth Council members, the Esethvos (Eisteddfod) Banner, the Mistress of the Robes and Herald Bard, the Chanter and Chaplain; the Horner followed by the Dancers. The Lady of Cornwall with her Attendants; Past Grand and Deputy Grand Bards; Secretary and Treasurer; Delegates from the Gorseth of Brittany preceded by a Page carrying the Breton Banner, Delegates from the Gorseth of Wales preceded by a Page carrying the Welsh Banner. Then comes the Deputy Grand Bard, Mrs Vanessa Beeman and the Sword bearer preceding the Grand Bard, Rodney Trevelyan Lyon. The Junior Marshal and Senior Stewards follow with the principal Award and Prize Winners, the procession ending with the Banners of Old Cornwall Societies. |
| 1430 | The Gorseth will be welcomed to the town by The Mayor, and the ceremony begins. It includes the commemoration of Bards deceased in the past year, the Presentation of the Flowers by the Lady of Cornwall, the Flower Dance by Cornish children, the presentation of major Awards and Prizes, the swearing of loyalty to Cornwall on the ceremonial Sword of King Arthur and concludes with the singing of Bro Goth Agan Tasow (Old Land of our Fathers). |
| 1600 | Approx. The Procession returns to the Town Hall |
| 1915 to 2115 | Public Concert in The Town Hall. Chairman: John Benallick. |
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Sunday 4th September |
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| 1500 | Ecumenical service in Cornish at Egloshayle Parish Church, by kind invitation of The Vicar and Churchwardens. All welcome whether Cornish speakers or not. The collection will be for the Church. |
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Town Plan  |
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