The illustrious Director of Rugby of London Cornish RFC, Redruth born, Dickon Moon is to be initiated as a Bard of Kernow in this year’s Gorsedh ceremony on the 7th September. Every new Bard is nominated by an existing Bard, who must satisfy the Gorsedh Council of his suitability for his nomination due to his work for Kernow.
Dickon meets this criteria through his time as our DoR during which he has maintained links with other clubs in Cornwall, the London Cornish Association and as part of the coaching team of the Cornish National Rugby side under Graham Dawe. Through rugby he has promoted Cornish culture and kept Cornish rugby in the Capital on the front foot.
Not all Bards are Cornish born or even living in the UK; but for a Cornishman this will be a very proud moment as he is welcomed into the College of Bards by Bardh Meur (the Grand Bard) and witnessed by his family.
Gorsedh means ‘a Bardic assembly’. It comes from the ancient Celtic word meaning ‘high seat’ or ‘throne’.
Bard derives from the name given by Greek writers to the poets and musicians associated with priests and Druids. Originally the term bard was generally conferred upon all professional poets. Bards were very prestigious people and often the closest personal ties existed between them and their patrons. Head of all the bards in the Gorsedh was, and still is, the Grand Bard whose symbol of authority is the great chair in which he or she sits.
Now Dickon Moon is one of their community and joins Jerry Rogers, Jonny Ball and Rob Spowart as being both a Bard as well as a proud member of London Cornish RFC.
A LCRFC sub-committee has been formed to decide on the penalty he should receive for missing the first 1st XV league game of the season on the 7th September. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.