Bards are essential to all Druidical culture. The Western Order is fortunate in having in Glastonbury a disproportionately large and talented Bardic establishment, which includes among its attributes a famous 'favourite venue', the Glastonbury Assembly Rooms, a mobile PA, and recording facilities. Several albums featuring Bards who are members of or associated with the Order are currently available.
The Bardic Gorsedd was founded in 2005, Tim Hall becoming the first Chaired Bard. The first formal Open Gorsedd, at which a new Chaired Bard is chosen, was held in 2006, Tim once again being chaired as Bard.
The second Open Gorsedd was held in May 2007, resulting in the raising of Irish poet Dearbhaile Bradley (pronounced Dervla) to the Bardic Chair, Merlin of the Woods (not the WOODs) being chosen as the first Deputy Bard.
Dearbhaile Bradley chaired as Bard
More from the new Chaired Bard and Deputy Bard of Ynys Witrin at bardic.org, the website of the Bardic Council of Ynys Witrin, from which these pictures have been boldly stolen (once a Space Pirate, etc.).
Merlin of the Woods
Pixi at a favourite venue
Pixi the Bard is known throughout the South-West and far beyond as one of the most memorable talents to emerge from the vigorously activist Druidical world of the late 20th century.
Primarily a singer/songwriter and guitarist, Pixi will play any stringed instrument that will let him pick it up, and thinks nothing of delivering a spirited acapella performance in front of several hundred people on the Tor at notice of about three or four seconds (the precise form of invocation being "Oi, Pixi! You're on!").
Pixi is a Bard of the old school, whose performances, only rarely recorded, must be experienced in field or feasting-hall fully to be appreciated. Visitors attending WOODs ceremonies have a good chance of doing this for themselves. Bring a hanky; some of his songs are sad.
May there be peace in the East
May there be peace in the South
May there be peace in the West
May there be peace in the North
May there be peace throughout
the whole world