Trevithick Society news

Gorsedh Kernow Holyer an Gof Publishers’ Awards 2025

The Society had submitted two publications for the Holyer an Gof 2025 awards. These were The Hayle and West Cornwall Railways – Penzance to Truro (1843-1865) by Roger Langley, David Birch and John Gabb, and These Treasured Hills by Pauline Sweet. Unfortunately neither author was available to attend the event at Kresen Kernow, so the Society was represented by Pete Joseph. The evening went well, especially after two glasses of the house red. The MC for the evening was Radio Cornwall’s Tiffany Truscott and the awards were presented by Jenefer Lowe, the new Grand Bard. A musical interlude was provided by Martha Woods, a very talented young singer/songwriter. Some of Martha’s work can be found at Band Camp, https://marthawoods.bandcamp.com/. The two Society publications were entered into Class 5 (Non-fiction for adults), which is divided into 4 sections, A to D. Roger Langley’s book was entered into Class 5b (Science, Environment and Industrial/Marine) and Pauline Sweet’s into Class 5d (Memoir); 5b had three books short-listed, while 5d had four. To our great delight, not only did Roger Langley win his Class, but so did Pauline Sweet. And the evening did not end there. The ceremony finished with the awarding of four cups: Pauline Sweet’s book won the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies’ Holyer an Gof Cup, which is awarded for the most outstanding entry in classes 5 and 6. This was the most successful Holyer an Gof in the Society’s history, previously we have only been able to enter one book which, occasionally, won a certificate. Members may remember though that last year we won a certificate for 50 years of the Society’s journal. We very pleased that the Society is being recognised for the quality of its publications and hope we can keep this up.

Left: Pete Joseph receiving the second certificate from Jenefer Lowe.

Right: Pauline Sweet with her cup and two certificates.