Nineteen new bards will be welcomed into the College of Bards of Gorsedh Kernow at this year's festival in Hayle.

The ceremony will take place on September 3, 2022 by the Grand Bard of Cornwall, Pol Hodge, Mab Stenak Veur.

Gorsedh Kernow was established with the aim of celebrating and promoting Cornwall’s distinctive Celtic culture and many of this year’s new bards are honoured for working in their community to nurture and promote Cornish culture.

Some have worked with music, both folk music and male voice choirs, and through their performances, teaching and promotion have helped to ensure the future of traditional Cornish music for posterity. Some have recorded the history and lives of Cornish villages and others have supported agricultural shows, preserving our country way of life in Kernow, while others have given a lifetime of volunteering to support causes dear to the heart of Cornish people.

Among them is Mark Connar, who is continuing to support the preservation of the only surviving Cornish pump engine house in the USA, promoting public awareness of the role of Cornish engineers and Cornish technology to the growth of the USA as an industrial nation.

The Gorsedh said: "Whatever way they have demonstrated their love for Kernow, the commitment by all is exemplary and Gorsedh Kernow is proud to have them in the College of Bards."

The new bards for 2022 are:

1. Mark Connar, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania U.S.A. For services to Cornish Identity in the U.S.A.

2. Lisa Crosswood, Liskeard By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall

3. Sue Dabb, Chacewater By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall

4.Ken Downing, Carnon Downs For services to Cornish Culture in Stithians

5.Sue Ellery-Hill, St.Just For promoting and protecting the Cornish Identity in Music

6. Trelawney Grenfell-Muir, Boston, U.S.A. By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall

7. Deborah Hinton, Gorran Haven For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture by supporting Cornish causes

8. Owain Holland, Newlyn By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall

9. Carmen Hunt, Hendrabridge For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture through Folk Dance

10. Stephen Hunt, Hendrabridge For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture through Folk Music

11. Tom Kadleck, Liskeard By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall

12. Caroline Lane, London By examination in the Cornish continuing work for Cornwall

13. Kirsty Lauder, Saltash By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall

14. David Matthew, Penzance By examination in the Cornish Language and continuing work for Cornwall

15. William Orchard, Helston For promoting the Cornish language and Identity in the community

16. Geoff Provis, Launceston For promoting Cornish Identity through the History of Port Isaac and its wider environs

17. Mike Tresidder, Breage For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture through Education and the Cornish language

18. Deborah Tritton, Redruth For promoting Cornish Identity and Culture through Archives

19. Peter Vickery, Bude For promoting Cornish Identity in Bude