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.
Each Chaired Bard becomes a member of the Gorsedd and retains their title. 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.

Winners

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
Jack Dean, 2009–2010
Jennifer Walter 2010-2012
2012-2013 No Chair
Mark Westmore 2013-2014
Sheila Broun 2014-2015
Conor Whelan, 2019–20
Tick Rowley, 2020-2022
Annabelle Cormack, 2022-2023
Connor Walker, 2023-2024
Michelle Hawkins-Collins, 2024-2025