2012

 Welcome to the 

Mary Webb Society Homepage

Est 1972

Celebrating 40 years of the Society

 Shropshire Poet and Novelist 1881 - 1927

 ©

   ver 5.12

Search the web Search this site

Welcome from Shropshire in the Heart of England.

©  Look out for our  leaflet ©

JOIN THE MARY WEBB SOCIETY TODAY--NEW MEMBERS WELCOME CLICK HERE FOR Membership Details. 

See the  Guestbook at the bottom of the page and leave us your comments.

Programme of Events.   
 

2012

Gladys Mary still receives enquiries from all over the world.
While she was still working on "Flower of Light" she was invited to speak on Mary Webb by the vicar of Holy Trinity, Meole Brace. Reverend Dakin was so enthusiastic after seeing Gladys Mary's manuscript  that he invited her to form a Mary Webb Society. A public meeting was called by Percy Wynn to inaugurate the society. Unfortunately Gladys Mary was ill and was unable to attend the meeting on 12th June 1972. The founder chairman was the late Dennis Purcell and Constance Jellicoe Wall who lived at the house which replaced Maesbrook, was the first president. She generously  made her home available for meetings. The late Dorothy Wrenn, author of the biography "Goodbye to Morning" was also influential in the early years of the society particularly for her scholarly lectures at summer school.The first 25 years of the society are well-documented in the book by the late Peter Mastin, "The Mary Webb Society The first twenty five years 1972 - 1997" Member Mary Palmer gave a vote of thanks to Gladys Mary and revealed that she was at that first meeting and has been a stalwart of the society ever since.
In recognition of her tireless work for the society and her relentless mission to ensure Mary Webb retains her place in literary history, chairman Gordon Dickins presented Gladys Mary with a silver necklace on behalf of the members.
After her lecture Gladys Mary officially launched the special edition Journal number 9 ( See detailed content in jounal section)
After lunch Gordon Dickins presented a unique slide show featuring the Shropshire landscape of the 1930s/1940s. The slides were originally the work of the late Reverend Jennings a keen photographer and Mary Webb enthusiast who travelled the county in search of The Shropshire of Mary Webb. The original glass lantern slides were donated to the society by the Reverend Jennings's family and we were pleased to welcome his daughter Elizabeth to the gathering. Gordon Dickins, also a passionate photographer, re-photographed and digitised the slides and we were treated to an extraordinary journey into Mary Webb's world through the eyes of  Reverend Jennings. Gordon Dickins presented his book "Quiet Mysteries" to Elizabeth Jennings.
The meeting concluded with tea and the cutting of the 40th anniversary cake made by treasurer Sue Hotchkiss.

     
Members at Worthen           Gladys Mary Coles with original manuscript of Flower of Light                   Mary Palmer

  

            

Silver necklace presented       Elizabeth Jennings                  Enjoying lunch & a catch up       40th Anniversary cake

What a start to this special year of reminiscence. The society goes from stregth to strength carried along by the stature of our president and the loyalty and enthusiasm of members. New members are always made welcome and everyone has a contribution to make in fulfilling the original aims of the society in keeping Mary Webb up there where she belongs.

Archive of previous years events and Summer Schools

Walks     

FOUR MARY WEBB WALKS IN SHROPSHIRE:-

For online information on the Mary Webb Trails in Shropshire go to http://www.shropshiretourism.info/mary-webb/

Trail One - Meole Brace & Lyth Hill

Trail Two - Wroxeter, Leighton & Much Wenlock

Trail Three - Pulverbatch, Thresholds & The Long Mynd

Trail Four - Pontesbury, Lordshill & The Stiperstones

There are maps showing the four walks with shuttle services and accommodation leaflets available

click on http://www.shrewsburytourism.co.uk/brochure_request/brochure_request.cfm

to obtain the leaflet "The Magic of Shropshire with Mary Webb"  by post.

Scholars and researchers will appreciate the link to the West Midlands Literature Collection. This is a comprehensive site that includes Mary Webb's books and poems as complete e-text in xhtml format and is free of charge to read or download and is ideal for cut and paste and find etc. Each works has an introduction by Gladys Mary Coles.

Remember Copyright does exist and must be acknowledged. see the Links section below

The Society would appreciate it if you have found our web site useful to make a contribution to its funds by joining the Mary Webb Society, to enable us to continue to spread the words of Mary Webb.

 new link for Lyth Hill Community Heritage Project...see LINKS

Exhibition of MW at the Guildhall Much Wenlock

A permanent display case features the Life of MW in and around Much Wenlock. The display board is of a very high quality and we must thank Jonathan Moor, the curator for his enthusiasm and support for the project. The panel was designed by Liz Stamps and produced by David Salter, design team, Shropshire County Council.  The display case is a permanent feature. Do go and see it.

If anyone has any  news please email details to

Officers of the Society      

President : Dr Gladys Mary Coles M.A.           

 38 York Avenue

 West Kirby

 The Wirral

 Merseyside      

 CH48 3JF

 0151 6259128    

  Vice President & Chairman :  Gordon Dickins

Meet The Committee

                                                                                                                Frances         Liz

Chairman:  Gordon Dickins

Vice Chairman and Membership Secretary:  Liz Stamps

Treasurer: Sue Hotchkiss

Secretary: Sue Higginbotham (E-mail)suaitch@yahoo.co.uk

   Committee:

   Muriel Furbank     Eileen Jebb   Marion Lowe   Frances Nicholls

   David Probert    Pat Spilsbury    Wynford Wyke

Alliance of Literary Societies Representative :  Wynford Wyke

      Archivists: Maureen Tarbuck & Katherine Cates   >>>

Membership Details

·         ·  Annual Member £12.00  

·         ·  Joint Annual Member £15.00

·         ·  Single Overseas  £15.00

·         ·  Joint overseas    £20.00

Cheques to be made payable to :-  The Mary Webb Society.

 The Mary Webb Society.
Mrs Liz Stamps
15 Yew Tree Road
Madeley
Telford
Shropshire
TF7 5TE
ENGLAND

Ring Liz on 01952 419078 or e-mail at 

The Mary Webb Society Journal. (Editor Gladys Mary Coles)

Issue No. 1 1995 (1995 Headland Publications)
 Selected Contents include:-

Gone to Earth the novel and the film..... Mary Webb & Roman Shropshire.

Memories of the Webbs of Ironbridge...Rowland Hilder OBE.

Issue No. 2 1996 (1995 Headland Publications)

Selected contents include:-

Living at "Roseville"... Mary Webb and Weston-Super-Mare...

Summer School......... Shropshire Dialect words used...

Issue No. 3 1997 (Headland)

Contents include:- Poems by the Mary Webb School, Shrewsbury.
  Dialect expressions. Much Wenlock and Mary Webb.
Letters from America. Webb on the WEB

Issue 4 1998/9
Contents Include:- Mary Webb and Sheila Kaye-Smith  Kindred Spirits?...Brian Graebe.
Traditional formulas in Precious Bane.....Dr J.B.Smith.
To Henry Webb (poem).......Dr GM Coles.
Underground at Snailbeach.....Chris Richards.
Report from Mary Webb school year 10 pupils and other young writers.
Tributes to Peter Mastin. .

Issue 5 1999/2000.  Contents include -
Mary Webb, Trees & Adrian Bury .....Colin Neville
Mary Webb's London......Norman Davies
Appointed Journey..........Amy Griffin Ouchley (USA)
The Plaque ....................Sue Higginbotham
Memories of Harcourt Manor ..Sue Roberts

Issue 6 2001/2002.
Contents include-
Discovering Mary Webb ..........Kenneth Downward
Shropshire and the Pull of the Western Hills.....Patrick H. Stewart Haworth
Remembering Gillian.................Margaret Austin
Much Wenlock Festival ............Helen Bray
Tributes to Ian Meredith & Raymond Poynton .........Gladys Mary Coles

Issue No 9 Special Edition 2011

Contents include:

Mary Webb Today .. A Shropshire Hero....................Gladys Mary Coles

Daphne Du Maurier Connections .............................Liz Stamps

The Prix Femina Vie Heureuse Award Two winners: Mary Webb & Stella Gibbons  ....Margaret Austin

The Crawford Collection and Exhibitions in the USA .....Gladys Mary Coles

Mary Webb in the light of Tolkein's thoughts on Fairy Stories .....Rev Edward Booth O.P.

Flora Thompson: A contemporary of Mary Webb............Elaine Hansen

BOOK SOURCES  

A good selection  of Mary Webb novels and biographies always available from Colin Neville (Society member) at the address below

Woodbine Books

3 Bradley Drive

Silsden

West Yorkshire

BD20 9LU

Tel. 01274 824759     or check out his web site  Woodbine Books  

e-mail woodbine@blueyonder.co.uk

  Virago Books for NEW copies of Precious Bane & Gone to Earth

***"Gone to Earth" ***digitally re-mastered Technicolour version . Starring Jennifer Jones is now  available on DVD and Video  by The Film Collection, PT VIDEO (www.pearsontv.com) Only UK/European versions for Pal videos and Zone 2 DVD appear to be available.

The DVD is very good, and includes many extra features including behind the scenes footage.

Shop around on the Internet for the best prices.

NB Precious Bane is NOT available commercially anywhere. Only personal copies of the TV series exist.See our guestbook below for help.

Links and Blogs

Mary Webb Digital Archive  The definitive link to the Crawford Collection

Blogs featuring Mary Webb

Precious Bane Quotations

"It made me gladsome to be getting some education, it being like a big window opening."

"Saddle your dreams afore you ride 'em."

"The more anybody wants a thing, the more they do think others want it."

"When you dwell in a house you mislike, you will look out of a window a deal more than those that are content with their dwelling." 

After seeing the BBC adaptation of "Precious Bane" this month I went in search of  one of the scenes from the film. 

 The dog fight/bull baiting  scene was at Berrington Manor (1658), 3m S.E. of Shrewsbury.The churchyard scenes showing Pru as a child are opposite at All Saints church.

Many thanks to our member Norman Davies for pointing out that Sarn Mere (based on Bomere pool)was filmed at Alkmund park pool between Berwick and Crossgreen 2.5m NNW of Shrewsbury, Check this very interesting 
link " A Guide to Shropshire by Michael Raven"  available at the Bog visitor centre £20..see below.

         

     2   

       3  

     4  

           5  

 To see 'Gone to Earth' film....Production still shots from BFI Screen online.

link* For a web site full of images of the film " Gone to Earth " visit the Powell & Pressburger site

link* Copies of the DVD "Gone to Earth"  (£10 June 08) are available at  The Bog visitor centre just below the Stiperstones 

What to do & Where to Stay in Shropshire.

Check online at

Accommodation:

Long Mynd      click here for  Long Mynd Hotel

Lyth Hill: 

 Lyth Hill House click here http://www.lythhillhouse.com

Mary Webb by Wyndham Lewis

The Mary Webb Society Home Page is maintained and updated

by Jim Stamps. Your Webb weaver 

If you need or have further information, e-mail  Liz or Jim,   

Our Guestbook

[ Read / Sign my guestbook ]

Get a free Guestbook

  Please write in our guestbook, we'd love to hear from you. Tell us how you discovered MW, books you have read, any stories or anecdotes you wish to share with us.

All images are Copyright

Now in it's 16th year and updated monthly. 4.12
200+ visitors every month since 3/12/96

This page was created with Nvu/KompoZer

 ©

Bye for now from Beautiful Shropshire

GTE