Bardic Seat Competition 2024
Who will be the next Bard of Caer Dur / Dorchester - This wonderful community event is a must for all ages. Take part or be an audience member. Celebrate the poets of Dorset.
We are thrilled to confirm that the competition for the Third Bard of Dorchester will take place on the 15th of September 2024, 3pm at The Brownsword Hall columned area in Pummery Square.
The Bard will be appointed to serve Dorchester for a Year and a day. The competion will be run annually in the second or third week of September. Prospective Bards will present one of their own poems written to a prompt, their own interpretation or performance of a poem by Thomas Hardy and their Bardic Manifesto, details below.
The event will be hosted and compered by Peter Roe, The Second Bard of Dorchester.
The Judging Panel will be five members representing different organisations. Kevan Manwaring, 3rd Bard of Bath, Academic and Author of The Bardic Handbook; Rob Casey former Bard of Exeter and founder of Bridport’s Apothecary spoken word night; Marc Chutter, Chairman and Academic Director of The Thomas Hardy Society; Jean Lang, Chair of The Trustees of The Dorset Museum; and one other to be confirmed.
The Bard of Caer Dur – is an annual competition for the best poet, singer or storyteller for West Dorset – it was founded in 2009 by Dorchester based writer and musician Jerry Bird. Sadly Jerry passed away in 2023 and the competition is being revived to honour his memory. The theme, chosen by the outgoing bard, Peter Roe, is: Threefold; (1) An original poem, short story or song that celebrates Dorchester and/or Dorset; (2) An interpretation of a poem by the Dorchester Poet Thomas Hardy; (3) Each entrant also has to read out a ‘bardic statement’ or 'manifesto' describing their plans if they were to win the Bardic Seat.
The role lasts for a year and a day and the new bard will get to set the theme for next year’s contest, announced in the Spring. Throughout the year there will be the chance for the Bard to work with local communities and arts organisations as well as performance and compering opportunities.
For the Rules of the Bardic Competition Click Here
Please send a message if you wish to take part in the Bardic Seat Competition
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