hamhigh
26 August 2005
Marc Mullen
ARE the people of Primrose Hill well versed in art and books, or are they simply more worried about their looks?
This is what the Bardic Revivalist Movement (BRM) wants to find out.
BRM wants to restore city bards to the 31 official locations of bardships in the UK, as declared in 1792 at a ceremony on Primrose Hill.
The bardship of Primrose Hill will be one of the top jobs.
Whoever secures the post must be skilled in public speaking and singing, have the ability to pen a humorous ditty, and be shameless enough to dress up as an 11th century court jester.
Paul Birtill, 44, a poet and playwright from Belsize Park, said: "It sounds like a good idea. I think poetry needs every bit of publicity it can get. I sell most of my books at readings, so I would certainly put myself up for it.
"I walk on the hill and drink in the bars around Primrose Hill. Although I'm not really a nature person I would like to do a reading in the open air.
"I wouldn't mind dressing up, as long as the outfit fitted me - I'm 14 stone."
Bards are Celtic poets, storytellers and historians and were last revived in the 18th century by Welsh druids.
BRM resurrected the bard of Exeter in 2003 and is currently trying to restore the bardship of Glastonbury.
Farren Gainer, the current bard of Exeter, said: "I work with Exeter tourism, who have welcomed the concept of getting Devonians to appreciate they have a bardship town. The best way to endear yourself as a bard to your audience is to do your homework well.
"Becoming a bardship town is such a wonderful idea. It is very Welsh, but of course Shakespeare and Rabbie Burns were bards too."
Once the 31 bardships are restored there will be an annual English Eisteddfod at Stonehenge, where the bards will perform poems to put each other down. The winner will be proclaimed the Bard of England.
Simon Jenkins, former Times editor and Primrose Hill resident, will not be applying despite his Welsh credentials.
Mr Jenkins said: "I am entirely in favour of bards, but there are enough bizarre outfits on Primrose Hill as it is."
John McCririck, the sartorially elegant Channel 4 racing pundit, expert public eulogiser and reluctant celebrity, is another Primrose Hill resident who is not keen on taking the job.
He said: "I am sure there are culture heads around here, who would be interested, but I am not one. A bard might help tourism, but we don't want any more. I am all for culture, but for the people of Primrose Hill. We don't want any more bloody tourists."
