The Bard of Stony Stratford

ABOUT THE BARDSHIP
​The Bard of Stony Stratford is a civic position and serves as an advocate of Bardic arts in all it forms in Stony Stratford and beyond.  Although each year a new person takes up the mantle of Bard, it is not about the individual but about the continuation of the Bardship to celebrate and record local events through spoken and sung words and to be the voice of the town. Many compete for the title, but being Bard is more than a title, it is the opportunity to service a vibrant and creative community, and to be commissioned to create pieces that stretch and challenge your creative talents.

The role of a town Bard is to produce and perform original pieces in the oral tradition to celebrate the customs and achievements of the town and its people, to attend various local events and occasions throughout the year as an honoured guest, and to preside over the annual festivals and events for StonyLive, Stony Words, Arts & Music Festivals and the Christmas Lights Switch On celebrations. The position of Bard is supported by the Bardic Council (please scroll to the bottom of this page to learn more about the Bardic Council Roles).

Every year, a new Bard is elected  by common consent in a public vote called the Bardic Trials which take place in January. This is an open contest before a live audience and a panel of expert judges. Anyone who has a voice and the power to use it can compete against their peers for this prestigious position.  The choice of the people is the voice of the people. Each Bard will hold their position for one year and a day, their final duty being to oversee the inauguration of their successor.

The Bardic Council

​​The Bardic Council of Stony Stratford was set up to support the Bard and to organise the events, trials, and publicity. The Bardic Council also record all of each Bard's achievements in the Bardic Book.
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Terrie Howey-Moore Ph.D CF
Terrie Howey is a professional storyteller, performing arts practitioner and workshop facilitator. Commonly performing as storyteller Red Phoenix, and running Red Phoenix Storytelling & Productions. She has performed, coached and mentored new and young performers internationally, and is dedicated to supporting the arts and making them accessible for all..
 www.redphoenixstory.co.uk
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Mitchell Taylor (Bard 9) 
Mitchell has remained on the Council since his Bardship, helping to navigate us through the difficult years of the pandemic. Mitchell is a musician-singer/songwriter, poet, and storytelling - the bardic triple threat! He spends his days rehearsing with his many bands, writing poetry to address the many wrongs in the world and teaching performing arts skills to children, and adults with support needs.
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Caz Tricks
I love music, all aspects of performance - I’ve a degree in Drama and Performance Studies, I’m a member of Carabosse Theatre Company and am Artistic Director of Stony Stratford Theatre Society. I present radio programmes on Stony Radio, a community radio station that is global, I promote arts and events as part of that. I’m a bibliophile and love talking to writers. I am part of the Scribal Gathering gang and love the connection between Scribal and The Bard. I also love crafts, gardening, walking, cooking, eating, speaking Welsh (I am competent but not fluent) and learning Spanish. I even perform the odd poem. I volunteer for numerous events locally because the arts are essential for life. The people make the place and events always need volunteers so I offered my services to the Bardic Council. Volunteers aren’t paid because they are worthless, they aren’t paid because they are priceless.
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Alice Fowle
Alice Fowle is new to the Bardic Council but has many years experience as a youth arts facilitator, events coordinator and musician/poet-herder. She has a general love for all things creative and officially made the decision to join us in 2024 after years of supporting from the side. Alice is a facilitator with Act Now Creative Youth and is now very excited to get stuck into her role in the Bardic Council too.
Currently Craig Hudson (Bard 13) is also serving on the Bardic Council as each Bard serves on the council during their Bardship.
​Stephen Hobbs (Bard 7), Vanessa Horton (Bard 6) and Pat Nicholson (Bard 5) all served extended terms on the council which we are most grateful for, especially to Stephen who served at various time as Chair, Secretary and Treasurer since joining the Council in 2015.
Role of the council:​
  • The Bardic Council is a steering group to ensure the concept, aims and quality of the “Bard of Stony Stratford” title regardless of its holder.
  • The Bardic  Council will support the Bard of Stony Stratford in their engagements throughout the year, and where necessary perform on behalf of the Bard to ensure bardic duties are met.
  • The Bardic Council operate as a support for the Bard of Stony Stratford, helping to; arrange bookings, promotions and marketing/press, and keeps a record in the Bardic Book of the Bard’s events including;
      • StonyLive! – Brochure poem
      • Evening with the Bard and Friends
      • StonyWords – From Bard to Verse
      • Christmas Lights Switch On & Bardic Trials Launch
      • Bardic Trials
      • Stony in Bloom / Stony Open Gardens
      • Apple Day
      • Big Lunch
      • & others
  • The Bardic Council is responsible for shortlisting applicants into the Bardic Trials should the application list exceed 8 hopefuls.

History  of   The   Bardic Council


​The Bard of Stony Stratford was inspired by the Bard of Northampton, Richard Frost* (Bard 3) with the support of the Stony Stratford Town Council, in particular Liz and Rob Gifford, created the Stony Stratford Bardship to be a civic position held for a year and day by someone who would record and celebrate the local events through spoken or sung words. The first Bardic trials were held in 2010 and were won by Ian Freemantle (Bard 1).
Over the years that followed the Bardship grew through the efforts of the those early bards who carved out and created the role of the Bard. In 2014 Terrie Howey and Stephen Hobbs joined Richard in managing the Bardship and the Bardic Council (BC) was born to give creative support to the Bard as more events were added to the Bardic calendar. The role of the Bardic Council is help guide the Bard through their year, for a full list of the Bardic Council duties please see below (Bard and BC are volunteers so cannot promise to make every event).

*Richard Frost's hard work and dedication in the creation of the Bard of Stony Stratford has lead to it being recognised locally and regionally, and has made it a now much welcomed part of Stony traditions. The Bardic Council are grateful to Richard for setting up the Stony Stratford Bardship, we would like to recognise his contribution, and thank him for the inspiration he has instilled throughout the community.