THE arrival of the Cornish Gorsedh in Torpoint will be heralded at a proclamation ceremony next Saturday, (April 12).

The full bardic open-air ceremony, which celebrates and preserves the Celtic traditions of poetry, music, song, dance and art, will take place in the town in September.

'The proclamation heralds the coming of the Gorsedh later in the year,' said Grand Bard of Cornwall, Steren Mor (Maureen Fuller).

'It will begin with a procession of about 50 Bards in their distinctive blue robes, together with Torpoint's mayor and mayoress and local girl Rosie Hortop, who was chosen to be this year's Lady of the Flowers.'

After a short procession to the newly-restored Rendel Park on the water's edge, a brief ceremony will be conducted in Cornish and English, which will include an invitation by the mayor to the Grand Bard to hold the Bardic ceremony in the town in September.

'We are very proud to be hosting the Gorsedh of the Bards of Cornwall,' said Mike Pearn, mayor of Torpoint and leader of the local organising committee.

'The proclamation will give locals and visitors to Torpoint an exciting preview of September's main event. Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony and admission is free of charge,' he added.

The procession of bards will leave the Scout headquarters in Wellington Street, Torpoint, at around 10.45am on Saturday, April 12.

The proclamation ceremony will then take place in Rendel Park at 11am.