Bard of Bath The Bard of Bath is a prestigious title awarded to the winner of an annual competition designed to discover Bath's finest poet, singer, or storyteller. This vibrant competition takes place each year, featuring a different theme that invites participants to submit a manifesto alongside a performance piece.
The title revives an Iron Age Celtic Druid tradition, where Druids served as law-makers, judges, and ceremonial leaders; Ovates acted as mediums, healers, and prophets; Bards were poets, musicians and history-keepers. All of them held high status and a place in mystical/religious circles.
Each Chaired Bard becomes a member of the Gorsedd and retains their title (specified by year). The current Bard of Bath, as of November 2024, is Michelle Hawkins-Collins.
In 2025, the theme was “Home,” and Michelle won the competition with her performance titled "Home is Not a Place but a Presence." Her piece drew inspiration from the life of her grandmother, who lost her home at the age of 12 during World War II and grew up in a concentration camp in East Germany.
Winners Tim Sebastian, 1996–97 Richard Carder, 1997-8 Kevan Manwaring, 1998-9 Olivia Hicks, 1999–2000 Julian Landau, 2000-1 Brendan Georgeson, 2001-2 Mark Lindsey Earley, 2002-3 Helen Moore, 2003-4 Jordan Ashley Hill 2004-5 Mo the People's Nun, 2005-6 Ash Mandrake, 2006–2007 Thommie Gillow, 2007–2008 Master Duncan, 2008–2009 Jack Dean, 2009–2010 Jennifer Walter 2010-2012 (re-elected) 2012-2013 No Chair awarded Mark Westmore 2013-2014 Sheila Broun 2014-2015 Conor Whelan, 2019–20 Tick Rowley, 2020-2022 (re-elected) Annabelle Cormack, 2022-2023 Connor Walker, 2023-2024 Michelle Hawkins-Collins, 2024-2025
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