Launceston’s residents are busy working with bards of Gorsedh Kernow putting the finishing touches to this year’s Gorsedh Kernow Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture.

The Esedhvos Festival starts on Wednesday, August 30 and on Thursday August 31, the programme includes a Book Festival with a new feature – ’Meet the Authors’ from Gorsedh Kernow’s Holyer an Gof Awards scheme. 

Later that evening the Town Hall will host the Gorsedh Kernow Awards evening when winners will receive their Awen medals and certificates from the Grand Bard. 

Displays and presentations of winners’ work will be on show from Thursday afternoon in the Otho Peter Suite of the Town Hall.

The one-day conference on Friday, September 1 will be exploring ’Cornish Culture and Tourism – Friends or Foes?’

Among many other events in this year’s schedule is the Troyl dance and the gala concert on the Saturday evening in Launceston Central Methodist Church with local performers and entertainers including Jane Nancarrow, Rob Strike and Launceston Town Band.

On the Sunday there is a chance to try your hand at Cornish in the ’Blas a Gernewek’ taste of Cornish session, followed by a history walk around the town with local bard Rob Tremain and a sung Evensong service in the Cornish language at St Mary Magdalene Church.

The centrepiece of the Esedhvos Festival will be the 2pm blue-robed bardic ceremony in the grounds of Launceston Castle on Saturday, September 2 where nine new bards will be initiated in recognition of their outstanding work in serving Cornwall and her distinctive Celtic identity. 

Entry is free and there will be plenty of space for the public to come and watch. 

Stalls with Cornish themed goods will be open in the grounds from late morning and refreshments will be available all day.