Stroud Events

Here’s the current list of things we know about that are happening in the near future.  Where relevant, we’re also listing events a bit further afield that you might be interested in, too. These are local events that are (unless it says otherwise in the listing) run by assorted local groups – these are all independent of the Green Party.

If you are aware of other talks, events, workshops or other community activities in the coming week or so, please do mention them in the comments. If there’s an event you would like our support in promoting, please email the details to brynnethnimue (at) gmail (dot) com.

Fire Springs  - Events Bulletin – Special Event July 2014

Following the celebrations of Laurie Lee, Kevan Manwaring and Jay Ramsay have organised a special day in the George Room at the Sub Rooms in Stroud, which features talks, a film, music and evening performance linking the Dymock Poets on the eve of the First World War (Edward Thomas, Robert Frost, Rupert Brooke et al) with Gloucestershire poets writing now; examining and celebrating shared themes of politics, Nature, relationship and spirituality in a world that War constantly leaves behind...for as long as we rationalize its existence on this planet.

Here are the details from the website of the Cotswold Word Centre:

Saturday 26 July

The Golden Room

Subscription Rooms, Stroud

Talks, Poetry, Film, Art, Music

A centenary symposium celebrating the Dymock Poets, who gathered in Gloucestershire a 100 years ago to write, walk and support each other on their creative journeys.

Featuring talks, panels and creative responses to the work of the Dymock Poets by modern Gloucestershire writers.

Programme (subject to change)

Daytime Programme (10am-5pm)

MC/Co-ordinator: Kevan Manwaring

10:00 – Brief Intro by KM, followed by Keynote Speech by special guest, Jeff Cooper, Chairman, Friends of the Dymock Poets.

The Golden Room and the Dymock Poets
Jeff Cooper is Chairman of the Friends of the Dymock Poets, and grandson of Lascelles Abercrombie. He has a long-standing interest in the poetry of the Edwardian period, having written and edited a number of articles, books and journals. He is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Gloucestershire.

10.30am Edward Thomas, Edward Garnett, and the Pursuit of Literary Worth

A talk on Edward Garnett (publisher of the Dymocks) by Anthony Nanson. Q&A

Edward Thomas was one of a cohort of great writers (including D.H. Lawrence, Joseph Conrad, H.E. Bates, W.H. Hudson, and many others) who were mentored by the editor and critic Edward Garnett. Beginning with Garnett’s association with Thomas, this talk examines the continuing relevance of Garnett’s vision for literature of worth and commitment.

Anthony Nanson is the author of Exotic Excursions, Gloucestershire Folk Tales, Words of Re-enchantment, and forthcoming Deep Time and co-editor of Storytelling for a Greener World. He teaches creative writing at Bath Spa University and is related to Edward Garnett through his grandmother, née Barbara Newstead Garnett.

11.30 am – coffee & cakes available in cafe

11.45am Cycling after Thomas and the English – a talk by David Caddy

Inspired by Edward Thomas and his 1913 bike tour, David Caddy climbed on his bicycle and pedalled into history, literature and the history of literature.

David Caddy is a poet, essayist, critic, literary sociologist and historian. He lives and works in rural Dorset from where he has edited the international literary journal Tears in the Fence since 1984. His most recent books are a collection of belles-lettres, So Here We Are (Shearsman 2012) and a book of poetry, The Bunny Poems (Shearsman 2011). He regular publishes essays and criticism on literary and cultural matters. He was co-author of London: City of Words (2006), a literary companion, with Westrow Cooper and directed the Wessex Poetry Festival from 1995-2002 and the Tears in the Fence Festival from 2003-2005.

12.45 – Lunch-break – poetry in the cafe (tbc.)

1.45 – Cotswold Characters: John Drinkwater and Arts and Crafts Movement in the Cotswolds

In 1919 the Dymock poet John Drinkwater moved to Far Oakridge on the instigation of his friend the painter William Rothenstein and there found another community of creative people living the simple life. In the 1890s a group of young architects, Gimson and the Barnsleys, moved to Sapperton and soon a group of makers, artists and writers flourished in ‘enchanted Cotswold country’. This talk explores the ideas and ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Gloucestershire, the work and friendships in this community, and charts their influence in the area to this day.

Kirsty Hartsiotis is Curator of Decorative Arts and Designated Collections at the Wilson Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, where she curates the internationally renowned Arts and Crafts Movement collection. She is also a writer and storyteller, and is the author of Wiltshire Folk Tales and Suffolk Folk Tales.

2.45 – Composers in the Landscape – Richard Carder (music of Ivor Gurney), including performance of songs.

3.20 – Comfort break

3.30 – Film of ‘Severn and Somme’ – inspired by Ivor Gurney (Dymock Poet contemporary) by Redcliffe Productions, introduced by film-maker followed by Q&A

4.30 – Plenary

5.00 – Fin.

Evening Concert (7-10pm)

Start 7.30pm

MC/Co-ordinator: Jay Ramsay

A special Dymock Poets-themed showcase by a glittering array of poets, singers and storytellers.

evening performers will include Adam Horovitz, Gabriel Millar, Jehanne Mehta, Rick Vick, Richard Austin, Marion Fawlk, Angie Spencer, Steve Morris—and Anna Saunders, co-director of the Cheltenham Poetry Festival. Music from Barry Mason & Lina Lotto, the HangHang Duo (playing the extraordinary hang drum). Barry originally toured with Allen Ginsberg as his drummer.

£12.50 for daytime OR evening concert. £20 for both (in advance).

Bookings and Enquiries: 01453 760900

Songs of Change – meets on Tuesday nights at Paganhill Maypole Village Hall. We are led by Sophie Sterckx (formerly “Greatorex”). This is an open group drawing on songs from about peace, the earth, equality, etc.