WITH eyes and minds firmly fixed on the future for Cornwall, Cornish bards gathered in Torpoint to enact a ceremony rooted in the county's Celtic past. Leading the Open Gorsedh was Grand Bard Maureen Fuller, whose speech included a call for Cornish history to be taught in schools. The bards in their blue robes made for an eye-catching sight as they formed a circle in Thanckes Park, looking over the River Tamar. 'We stand here today by this mighty river, the territorial boundary between Cornwall and England,' said Mrs Fuller, from Landrake. 'This historic boundary was first recorded in 936 AD when King Hywel of Cornwall and King Athelstan of Wessex agreed the high water mark on the Devon side of the Tamar to be the border between Cornwall and Devon in perpetuity,' she said, 'and to the Cornish it marks the great divide between the two nations.' After thanking mayor of Torpoint Mike Pearn and town councillors for their warm welcome, the Grand Bard reminded the gathered crowds of the sacrifice made by Cornishmen and women who fought on foreign fields. 'We remember all Cornishmen who fought, whatever their rank, and the families they left behind,' she said, 'and we recognise and salute them all for their bravery and sacrifice.' 'In Cornwall we have continued to fight for recognition of our nation,' Mrs Fuller continued, 'and we need our difference and distinctiveness to be recognised by all.' 'We are delighted that, just 12 days after we came to Torpoint for our proclamation ceremony in April, it was announced that the Government would include the Cornish as a group protected by the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.' Mrs Fuller also said: 'I would like to see lots more Cornish flags flying in Kernow, demonstrating our nationality and distinctiveness.' Highlighting the lack of knowledge about Cornwall's past among today's children, the Grand Bard looked forward to a better-informed future for young people. 'We will press for the inclusion of Cornish history in the national curriculum so that all children in the British Isles are taught the history of all the constituent nations,' she continued. 'Education will foster tolerance towards all the minorities living in this British multi-cultural society and encourage them to live together in harmony.' The bardic ceremony was the focal point for a festival week in Torpoint organised by Cornish bards working closely with members of a local committee headed by mayor Mike Pearn. A total of 23 new bards were inducted in recognition of their contribution to Cornish cultural life. Several people also received awards including 15-year-old Callington fundraiser Jonny Burnard. Local photographic exhibitions sat alongside winning entries from the 2014 Gorsedh competitions, including many from local schools. 'The work submitted from all the competitors, but especially from the children, was outstanding,' said the mayor, 'and we were delighted to have them on display.' A conference was held on Friday with the theme of 'Brand Kernow' and the final day of the festival concluded with a service in Cornish, attended by the Bishop of Truro.