We’re very proud that Mordardh surf poetry was shortlisted for the Holyer an Gof 2024 Awards for poetry and drama.
Each year about 60 – 80 books are submitted to the annual Gorsedh Kernow Holyer an Gof Awards, named after Redruth publisher and Cornish Bard Leonard Truran, whose Bardic name was Holyer an Gof – Follower of The Smith. The Bards of Gorsedh Kernow run the Awards to promote books about Cornwall, set in Cornwall or in Cornish (Kernewek).
Photos below by James Kitto, except for the photo of Kate Barden with her book and certificate (photo by Tracey Dockree). You can find the 2024 winners and nominations at https://gorsedhkernow.org.uk/holyer-an-gof-publishers-awards-presentation-ceremony/
Mordardh, Cornish for breaking wave, explores surfing and what it means to surfers living in Cornwall. Ella Walsworth-Bell curated the collection alongside other Mor Poets: Fi Read, Morag Smith, Hannah Temme, Kerry Vincent, Ulrike Duran Bravo, Kate Barden, and Megan Chapman.
Mor Poets are a group of women poets who talked to surfers across Cornwall. In coastal communities, what brings people out – dressed in neoprene, board under arm – and gets them into the water? There must be some kind of magic in the waves. Mor Poets explored how surfing gives a kick; how breaking waves are ridden and how surfers benefit both mentally and physically. Talking to surfers was the first step. Creating poetry in their words and voices was the second.
A fantastic set of stories, told through poetry and stunning photographs by marine photographer, Alice Bray.
‘This anthology picked me up and carried me like my first wave, it spoke of fear, devotion and love. Most powerfully, it spoke of the sea in all her moods, words written by women for whom waves form the sometimes roaring, sometimes gentle, rhythm of their lives.’ – Mike Lay, Editor of Wavelength surf magazine
Number of pages: 89 pages
Publisher : Cornwall Writers 2023
The Mor Poets’ first book was the popular Morvoren: the poetry of sea swimming and you can find both books in our shop.
