A book celebrating 12 years of the Bardic Chair of Bath is to be launched next week.

Edited by Bathwick-based writer and a former Bard of Bath Kevan Manwaring, The Book of the Bardic Chair features profiles of all 12 Bards of Bath, including this year's, Thommie Gillow, pictured.

A "battle of the bards" takes place every December judged by a panel of experts. Bath poets, storytellers and singers can enter.

Kevan's book is dedicated to the late Tim Sebastian Woodman, founder of the Bardic Chair of Bath, who died last year, and the launch will include a Samhain Bardic Showcase of poetry, storytelling and music featuring Bards of Bath and special guests.

The book explains the background to Bardic Chairs, lists all the current ones on record, and explains how to set one up. Arising from the Celtic tradition, initially in Wales, Bardic Chairs are a growing phenomenon – transcending cultural barriers – not just in Britain, but around the world.

■ The Book of the Bardic Chair, with a foreword by Ronald Hutton, professor of history at the University of Bristol, is launched on Saturday, November 1, at 7pm at St Mark's Community Centre, Widcombe. It costs £15.95, but there's a special launch price of £12. Entrance is £3 or £2 concessions.