Late Cornish Bard’s poems to support Cornwall Hospice Care

A collection of poems by the late Bard Hilary Keam (Degor Hwarth, Bringer of Laughter) is being published in support of Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in St Austell. Produced by her widower Dennis, the book celebrates Hilary’s extraordinary talent to tell a good tale in rhyme.

A Cornish Bard and a talented musician

Born in St Austell, Hilary Keam trained as a teacher and after two years in Hackney, spent the rest of her career in Cornish schools. She was also self-taught on the piano and organ and was a founding member of Tresillian Singers and later a quartet known as Kescan Lowen (Happy Chorus).

A Rayburn Cooker led to being a Cornish Bard

It was the instillation at her home of a Rayburn cooker that leaked that started her poetry, as her husband of 61 years Dennis Keam explains; “She wrote a poem about the Rayburn and then over some 30 years she wrote more than 200 other poems, many based on actual events.   It led to her being made a Cornish Bard in 2010 for her contribution to the Cornish dialect and for raising funds for local charities. She was thrilled.”

A Cornish Bard who with a mission to entertain

Hilary entertained at more than 80 villages and towns across Cornwall sharing her witty and poetic observations. “When Hilary passed away it made perfect sense to collate some of  her favourite poems in to this new book,” says Dennis, who adds; “to fully enjoy the poems it’s best to practise alone and then to read them to friends and family. Laughter is a great tonic and Hilary brought joy to many.”

Cornish Bard Hilary hand wrote all her poems

Dennis was assisted by Philip Davey a former pupil of both him and his late wife Hilary, and by Mid-Cornwall Printing who he says have been ‘amazing in their support.” It took them six months to type out the 150 poems that are included in the book and that had all been hand written by Hilary. The book will be on sale at £20 and will be available direct from Dennis who lives in Probus by calling 01726 882586.

Cornish Bard Hilary’s link to Cornwall Hospice Care

Dennis adds; “Hilary received exceptional Lymphoedema treatment at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice where she had regular appointments with Helen Treleaven, the Lymphoedema Specialist. “Helen made such a difference,” says Dennis. “Hilary went in with elephant like legs and after a series of sessions, had young legs once again.”

Watch Cornish Bard Hilary entertain with her Cornish dialect

You can see Hilary Keam performing some of her favourite poems on YouTube.  Her poems were hand written, some long and some short, and reflected on events that had happened to her. They were written to be read in the Cornish dialect, something Hilary thoroughly enjoyed doing and that gave entertainment to many.

The picture below is of Dennis Keam, a retired teacher well known to many former pupils of Truro School where he taught woodwork.