Bard of Bath

Bard of Bath

The Bard of Bath is a prestigious title awarded to the winner of an annual competition designed to discover Bath's finest poet, singer, or storyteller. This vibrant competition takes place each year, featuring a different theme that invites participants to submit a manifesto alongside a performance piece.

The title revives an Iron Age Celtic Druid tradition, where Druids served as law-makers, judges, and ceremonial leaders; Ovates acted as mediums, healers, and prophets; Bards were poets, musicians and history-keepers. All of them held high status and a place in mystical/religious circles.[1]

Each Chaired Bard becomes a member of the Gorsedd and retains their title (specified by year). The current Bard of Bath, as of November 2024, is Michelle Hawkins-Collins.

In 2025, the theme was “Home,” and Michelle won the competition with her performance titled "Home is Not a Place but a Presence." Her piece drew inspiration from the life of her grandmother, who lost her home at the age of 12 during World War II and grew up in a concentration camp in East Germany.

Winners

  • Tim Sebastian, 1996–97
  • Richard Carder, 1997-8
  • Kevan Manwaring, 1998-9
  • Olivia Hicks, 1999–2000
  • Julian Landau, 2000-1
  • Brendan Georgeson, 2001-2
  • Mark Lindsey Earley, 2002-3
  • Helen Moore, 2003-4
  • Jordan Ashley Hill 2004-5
  • Mo the People's Nun, 2005-6
  • Ash Mandrake, 2006–2007
  • Thommie Gillow, 2007–2008
  • Master Duncan, 2008–2009[2]
  • Jack Dean, 2009–2010
  • Jennifer Walter 2010-2012 (re-elected) [3]
  • 2012-2013 No Chair awarded
  • Mark Westmore 2013-2014[4]
  • Sheila Broun 2014-2015 [5]
  • Conor Whelan, 2019–20
  • Tick Rowley, 2020-2022 (re-elected)
  • Annabelle Cormack, 2022-2023
  • Connor Walker, 2023-2024
  • Michelle Hawkins-Collins, 2024-2025

References

  1. ^ "Bard of Bath". Bard of Bath. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
  2. ^ "Poet is new Bard of Bath". Bath Chronicle. This is Bath. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Student becomes new Bard of Bath". 21 December 2010.
  4. ^ Wiltshire, Paul (14 June 2013). "New Bard of Bath chosen". Bath Chronicle. Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  5. ^ "New Bard of Bath announced". Bath Chronicle. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2022.


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