The Silver Branch

A Bardic Network for the 21st Century

• Bard of Bath, Kevan Manwaring (aka Tallyessin) launched his bardic network at this year’s fabulous Bardic Camp, ‘inspired by the shining example of The Druid Network – not in competition, but to complement it,’ he emphasises. ‘It is designed to fit under the TDN umbrella, but to also reach out across all organisations and paths.’
• The Silver Branch Bardic Network is open to all interested in the Bardic Tradition: storytellers; poets; musicians; singer/songwriters; celebrants of all kinds; writers; academics; audience; healers.
• Kevan chose the symbol of the silver branch because it is a good metaphor for an organic network and is traditionally associated with bards. John Matthews describes the silver branch as ‘an emblem of the Poet’s Craft…a symbol of entry to the Otherworld.’ Kevan explains the concept: ‘The idea basically is to keep in touch! It's summed up by 3 things: community, communication, and celebration. The Silver Branch is non-hierarchical and non-competitive. There is no membership policy except an interest in the Bardic Tradition and mutual respect for fellow human beings. There are many fine practitioners of the Bardic Arts out there – I want to reach out and join forces with all of them. We need not be voices in the void. We can be united in Awen.’
• The intention of The Silver Branch is to: honour the Bardic Tradition; provide a voice for modern bards; create a community; share information & news; co-publicise events / workshops / publications; offer peer support; organise social gatherings; run eisteddfodau & showcases; hold small sharing camps; acknowledge & link to other organisations and communities; raise the Awen; and use the magic of words for healing the world and humankind.
• The Silver Branch Bardic Network is free to join for the first year (reviewed thereafter, subject to running costs etc).
Register your interest now,
email: the-silver-branch-subscribe [at] yahoogroups [dot] co [dot] uk
Check out Yahoo Groups: the-silver-branch Bardic Forum set up for sharing news, views, etc.
• Kevan adds: ‘as The Silver Branch develops there are possibilities of a: newsletter; magazine; website; conference…It’s what we make it! Help The Silver Branch to grow!’

October 2005