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.^[1]

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.^{[citation needed]}

• 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^[2]
• Jack Dean, 2009–2010
• Jennifer Walter 2010-2012 (re-elected) ^[3]
• 2012-2013 No Chair awarded
• Mark Westmore 2013-2014^[4]
• Sheila Broun 2014-2015 ^[5]
• Conor Whelan, 2019–20
• Tick Rowley, 2020-2022 (re-elected)
• Annabelle Cormack, 2022-2023
• Connor Walker, 2023-2024
• Michelle Hawkins-Collins, 2024-2025