Cornwall's Grand Bard took inspiration from St Keverne's famous rebel on Saturday when the village welcomed Gorsedh Kernow.

The Proclamation ceremony provided the village with the chance to officially invite the bards to hold this year's Gorsedh bardic ceremony and Esedhvos Festival there on September 3.

The weather stayed fine, with blue skies and the showers holding off as 65 bards joined members of the parish council.

It meant that, fittingly, the ceremony could take place in front of the statue of Thomas Flamank and St Keverne-born Michael 'An Gof' Joseph, who a little over 500 years ago led a rebellion to London in protest against the poor treatment of the Cornish.

Merv Davey, Grand Bard of Cornwall, told those gathered that their actions "continue to fuel the Cornish spirit to the present day," adding: "Today it is our culture and heritage which is under threat, but unlike Michael Joseph we have the use of some powerful democratic tools.

"We now have recognition of the Cornish language, Kernewek, in 2002, National Minority Status in 2014 and the Devolution Deal of 2015, which includes a clear commitment to cherish and promote our precious Cornish heritage."

These, he said, meant government departments and public bodies had to take Cornwall's views into account when making decisions about its heritage, yet he feared "these commitments have not been translated into action."

He referred to the recent debate around the development and "commercialisation" of Tintagel and spoke of his increasing dismay at the story unfolding.

"The views of Cornish people and institutions were not sought and the processes by which these consents are given for the development of heritage sites are undemocratic and unfit for purpose.

"We cannot ease back and allow these commitments to fall by the wayside, we must hold government departments and public bodies to account," was his rallying cry.

Although commending English Heritage for their use of the Cornish language and some of the archaeological interpretations at the Tintagel site, the Grand Bard was nevertheless fearful that the promoted image of the historic site would be "driven by Disney type images of knights and wizards."

"We will not be seeing much of the Cornish language, ancient Cornish kingdoms or any recognition as a Celtic Nation," he added.

Mr Davey called on the government to transfer the ownership and protection of such iconic sites to Cornwall.

The bards, resplendent in their blue robes, were welcomed to St Keverne by parish council chairman David Lambrick, who formally invited them to return in September.

He was presented with a poem written in Cornish about the village, which will be put on display.

After the ceremony the bards, together with members of the parish council, processed back to the parish hall for refreshments served by ladies from the village.

Karen Richards, who is on the organising committee for St Keverne's hosting of the event, said: "We were very proud and honoured for St Keverne."

Mrs Richards and her brother-in-law Anthony Richards, who both live in the parish, were able to take part in their first Proclamation ceremony after both became bards last year.

"It was great to be part of this historic event and lovely to be in our home village. We're all now very much looking forward to the main event," she added.

She thanked the ladies who baked cakes and served drinks at the reception following the ceremony and also praised the work of the marshals who managed the procession route.