Bardic Seat of Caer Dur Contest Rules

**Applications close on Tuesday 2nd of September**

The Bard of Caer Dur is a community based voluntary role and as such offers no financial compensation. There will be support offered throughout their tenure by Peter Roe - the Second Bard of Dorchester and The Jawbone Collective CIC.

1. Eligibility: - Open to poets, singers, and storytellers living in or connected to Dorchester and the surrounding area of West Dorset. - Entrants must be over 18 years of age.

2. Requirements: -
Original Work - Present on the day of the competition one original poem, short story, or song (up to 5 minutes) that celebrates Dorchester or Dorset.
Interpretation: Present an interpretation or performance of a poem by Thomas Hardy. Bardic Statement: Provide a 'bardic statement' or manifesto outlining your plans and vision if you were to win the Bardic Seat.
Additional Piece of Original Work - In the event of a ‘Tie’ the entrants will be asked to perform a second piece of their own work (up to 3 minutes in length). This is an ‘own choice’ piece and can be on any subject.
Note: All pieces should be ‘family friendly’, avoiding expletive. We are a rights respecting organisation that believes in the freedom of expression but expect our performers to avoid racist, sexist, ageist or divisive language.

3. Performance: - All three main pieces will be performed live at the competition event in front of an audience, which will take place on Sunday the 15th of September 2024 at 3pm, Brownsword Hall, Pummery Square, Poundbury, Dorchester.

The order of participants will be determined by a random drawing of names from a hat.

4. Judging Criteria: - Originality and creativity. - Quality of performance and engagement with the audience. - Relevance to the theme and connection to the local culture and heritage. The vision of their Manifesto and desires for their tenure.

5. Ceremony: - The winning entrant will be invested with the Bardic Robes and their will be a short ceremony where they will be sworn in and they will repeat ‘The Bardic Oath’. On completion of the ceremony the New Bard will be asked to perform their additional piece before the ceremony is brought to its conclusion.

6. Prizes and Committments:

  • The winner will receive the title Bard of Caer Dur - Dorchester and will serve for a year and a day. - The New Bard will have the opportunity to set the theme for the next year's competition and act as an ambassador for local arts and culture.

  • The New Bard will receive a free one year pass to The Dorset Museum and Art Gallery as well as a Free Place to attend a Jawbone all day workshop during their tenure.

  • The New Bard will have a 10 Minute Headline slot at Jawbone @ The Poet Laureate on the 24th of September. They will also have a headline slot at Bardfest in Bridport in August 2025.

  • The New Bard will receive a ticket to attend a UK based poetry workshop with The Jawbone Collective during their year in office.

  • The appointed Bard will be supported in delivery of their manifesto. Eg. they will be given help to find opportunities for performance and workshop delivery in the local area as well as other aspirations they hold.

  • There is a requirement for the New Bard to perform at up to four public facing events in Dorchester and the surrounding area of West Dorset during their tenure. These could involve workshops with partner organisations, open mics and other public events. We would hope that the the New Bard will also help to find and create future opportunities for others who hold The Bardic Seat in the future.

The New Bard will be joining a line of Bards who are committed to the development of the The Bardic Seat of Dorchester.

There is a desire to create a ‘Bardic Purse’ through fundraising and grant applications in order to support the ideas and aspirations of the New Bards in the future.

The Bards of Dorchester will be supported over the next five years by the Jawbone Collective and The Grand Bard of Dorchester. There is an aspiration that the Bardic Seat becomes a civic role for the town on Dorchester in the future.

7. Application Process: -

  • All entrants must first submit their expression of interest by email to bardofdorchester@gmail.com - They will be sent an application pack.

  • All parties are required to fill out an application in order to assess their eligibility for the Bardic role and to be offered a performance place.

  • A maximum of eight people will be selected to compete for The Bardic Seat.

  • The management committee of The Jawbone Collective will choose up to eight performers who will compete for the Bardic Seat.

  • Applicants will be informed by the 5th of September if they have received a place in the competition

  • Those who are unsuccessful may reapply the following year.

Send a message to receive an application pack.