Kathleen ‘Bill’ Glanville

Deceased 2021

Suggested by Vikki Bayliss

Known as Bill Glanville. Bill lived in a tiny stone cottage in St Columb Major throughout her adult life. She was an expert in Cornish history and archaeology and was an elected member of the Gorsedh Kernow. Bill was one of the four founder members of the Old Cornwall Society in 1970. She served on the committee for over 50 years and was a past president of the Federation of Old Cornwall societies. In recognition of her dedication to the history and archaeology of Cornwall, Bill was made a Bard of Gorsedh Kernow in 1990 taking the Kernewek bardic name ‘Wylmet Maghteth Lanherne’ meaning ‘Bill Handmaiden of Lanherne’.

Bill served on the Cornish Language Board promoting the development of a written form of Cornish. She especially hoped that children would learn the ancient language and continue to use it.

In 2019, Bill was named St Columb Major Citizen of the Year in recognition of her decades of service to History and Archaeology. Shortly after her death in 2021 the Smallseum in St Columb Major was opened. This was a joint project between the Town Council and the St Columb Major “Arts and Heritage Festival Committee”. Bill had worked tirelessly to make this happen.

I spent many school holidays staying with Bill and family in their tiny cottage. I continued to visit her throughout her life and loved listening to her stories about all things Cornish. She had a wonderful sense of humour and an infectious laugh.

Words: Vikki Bayliss