The Spear of Lugh Eisteddfod
What the Spear's been getting up to
by Rik Collier (a.k.a. Treeman), Spear of Lugh Eisteddfod Winner 2007
Firstly, a big thank-you for all your hospitality at the Lammas Games. This is the first opportunity I've had to sit at the computer for long enough to write anything more than a couple of words, and anyway, I thought I'd wait till I had something to tell you all about...
After the Lammas Games we went to the Small World festival, which happens twice a year, one in May and one in August... and this last one was wonderful! We provide a space for poetry at the festival, with my partner Spacegirl organising the bookings for poets and hosting the entertainments, and me creating the infastructure for the magic to happen in, and generally doing my Treeman thing - chopping wood, climbing trees to hoist up awnings etc...
This last festival had the third Small World Eisteddfod, or to use it's proper title, the Beirdd y Byd Bach Eisteddfod. I was honoured to be made Bard-Protector, and took part in the ceremony. More details of the ceremony and pictures will be available soon on the net, and also in a book soon to be published by Kevan Manwaring (who was also made an honourary bard of Small World or 'Elderberry' as they are affectionately titled) which details the bardic chairs of Britain.
In my role as Bard protector, the Spear of Lugh was used in the ceremony to symbolically 'threaten' the Bards as they sat on the bardic chair, though I can assure you no actual bardic blood was spilt!
Another thing I should mention that occurred to me one night whilst sitting in camp. I felt extremely secure. And I realised, my weapon of choice should any danger occur would always be a spear, and it's been a long time since I had a spear in my tent whilst camping! I realised that I'll have to keep an eye out for a good spear-pole at work, so I can make myself one before I have to hand over the Spear of Lugh. I mean, what self respecting Viking goes camping spear-less?
Anyway, that's me for tonight... I'll make sure to keep you all posted on the Spear's exploits...
Love and Light
Rik (Poet-Treeman)