Gorsedh Kernow came to our ancient market town of Helston (Hellys) for the first time this year. It is an historic organisation dedicated to the preservation of Cornwall's unique Celtic spirit, through literature, language, music and the arts and the recognition of all forms of important service to Cornwall. From early Celtic times the Bards were people with skills in poetry, literature and music who regularly had assemblies known as Gorsedhs, meaning "high seat" or "throne". At these Gorsedhs competitions in the arts were held and new Bards were initiated by the Grand Bard, taking a Bardic name in Cornish which reflected their particular interests. Since those early days, over 1000 men and women have been invited to become Bards, the current roll being 496, 56 of which now live abroad.