Holyer an Gof Publishers’ Awards

 

The annual Gorsedh Kernow Holyer an Gof Awards were instigated in 1996 for books published in 1995 and are so named in memory of Redruth publisher and Cornish Bard Leonard Truran, whose Bardic name was Holyer an Gof – Follower of The Smith. The scheme was established and is organised by Bards of Gorsedh Kernow to promote books about Cornwall, set in Cornwall or in Cornish (Kernewek).

Each year about 60 – 80 books are submitted by publishers from Cornwall and beyond and these are read and evaluated by members of a panel of Readers. The winning entries are announced at a presentation evening held in July.

There are 16 categories, each nominated book receiving a Gorsedh Kernow Certificate. There is a winning book in each class/sub-class, which receives a Gorsedh Kernow Winner’s Certificate.

In addition the following awards are made at the presentation evening.

  1. The Leonard Truran Cup (‘The Holyer Cup’), gifted by the late Joan Truran, in memory of her husband.  This is perpetual and awarded for the most outstanding entry in Classes 1 – 4.
  2. The Literary Salver (The Literary Guild) to be presented from July 2026 for the most outstanding literary publication.
  3. The Federation of Old Cornwall Societies Holyer an Gof Cup which is awarded for the most outstanding entry in classes 5 & 6.
  4. The Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek Cup which is awarded for the best original fiction work or translation into Cornish (Kernewek).
  5. The Gorsedh Kernow Ann Trevenen Jenkin Cup which is awarded for authorship in the class for children and young adults.

Winners 2025

Here is the list of winners for 2025 as awarded at our ceremony last night at Kresen Kernow in Redruth. Keslowena -...

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Shortlist 2025

Here is this year's shortlist. Our congratulations to all nominated publishers and authors. Winners will be announced...

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Holyer readers 2024-5

Holyer readers 2024-5

Alan RentonAlison DaveyAmanda HarrisAndrew WoodsBen Stanley-ButcherCora BuchananDave BrothertonDee BrothertonDeborah...

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2023-4 entries

2023-4 entries

You'll find a list of this year's entries here. Right-click and Save Link As to download the pdf (landscape).

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Guidelines for readers

Entries are marked for both the publishing quality and the content of the publication.  For Class 3.0 (Fiction for...

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Holyer ceremony 2022

A reminder to those coming on Saturday that the timings were changed. Guests (invitation only) are welcome from 4pm,...

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Nominated books 2022

Nominated books 2022

The Holyer an Gof shortlist is below. Congratulations to all nominated publishers and authors. .You'll find images of...

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Holyer an Gof in previous years

Please note these are archived pages and no longer maintained. Please return to this page if you want to navigate elsewhere.

>2020 Entries
>2019 Entries
>2018 Entries
> 2017 Entries
> 2016 Entries
>2015 Entries
>2014 Entries
>2013 Entries
>2012 Entries

>2020 Award Winners
>2019 Award winners
> 2018 Award winners
> 2017 Award Winners
> 2016 Award Winners
> 2015 Award Winners
> 2014 Award Winners
> 2013 Award Winners
> 2012 Award Winners

 

>Presentation Evening Photographs 2019

> Presentation Evening Photographs 2018

> Presentation Evening Photographs 2017

> Presentation Evening Photographs 2016