SCOTLAND has Robert Burns, Yorkshire has the Brontes, Hampshire has Jane Austen, London has Charles Dickens (and many Moore) – but Dorset, quite small in comparison, has two great major figures who are rooted in the county – Thomas Hardy and William Barnes, who will be celebrated at a gathering to enjoy his poems, with music and a Dorset cream tea, at the Exchange at Sturminster Newton on Sunday 23rd February.
The annual William Barnes Tea will, as usual, feature the familiar lineup of Tim Laycock, Phil Humphries and the Ridgeway Singers and Band. This musical and culinary event, celebrating the 19th century polymath, teacher, multi-linguist, priest and poet, has taken place since 2017.
This year it will also feature a pop-up producers and makers market in partnership with Dorset Food & Drink, open to the general public from 11am to 3pm, after which the performance and tea will take place.
The event is run in conjunction with Artsreach, which is also partnering with Pageant Productions to live-stream the event, so that those who are unable to attend in person can enjoy the music and readings from the comfort of their own home (hopefully with their own cream tea!)
Born in Bagber in 1801, William Barnes attended school in Sturminster Newton. A scholar, linguist, artist, priest and inventor, Barnes wrote more than 800 poems in the Dorset dialect, relishing the country dances, folksongs and carols of the county, and often writing about community celebrations where music element. Barnes’ best-known poem is Linden Lea, famously set to music by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Led by Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries, the Ridgeway Singers and Band will be joined by guests from the William Barnes Society to celebrate the life of William Barnes, performing traditional songs and dance tunes collected across the county, and reciting some of the poems that keep alive the rich dialect of Dorset.
The mini pop-up producers and makers market will be a chance to try some famous local produce or discover something brand new made in Dorset! The market is open to the general public from 11am-3pm.
Photograph © Jane Searle