presentation was very moving and it is
always a pleasure to link our two closely allied societies.
26th & 27th June 2004
A Summer School at the Mary Webb school seems so appropriate as the school is a corporate member of the society and the headteacher, Janet Brown has worked hard to nurture the link between the society and the school and, hopefully recruit a new generation of enthusiasts.
The weather was not very promising this year but that never deters us from enjoying the highlight of our calendar.
The programme was varied and stimulating with many new themes being explored;
Mary Webb and Music: Gladys Mary Coles
This lecture was dedicated to the memory of Gillian Coppin.
Gladys Mary's lecture was well-researched and entertaining, illustrating the influence of music in Mary's life and work. Music featured strongly in the childhood of Mary Meredith and this is continued throughout her novels.We were also treated to excerpts from the dramatisations of Mary Webb's work on stage and screen e.g. "Harps in Heaven" and "Green Gravel"and a recent adaptation of Mary Webb's poetry to music by Richard Moult. We were given a charming description of the Webbs at home using a grand piano as a dining table and desk. Then, the piece de resistance, a mystery object was lifted onto the table,a cover was whipped away and Gladys Mary revealed the very piano stool that Mary Webb had owned. Gillian would have loved this lecture. Music played a major role in the lives of Gillian and her husband, singer/songwriter Johnny Coppin.She is sadly missed.
Jim Page (Chairman of the Housman Society) and his wife
Frances told the story of Housman's life through his poetry, his
early influences in Bromsgrove and his world in Oxford,
Shropshire, London and Cambridge. The lecture was illustrated by
slides and readings from Housman's works. The presentation was very moving and it is
always a pleasure to link our two closely allied societies.
After lunch
there was a choice of a guided walk with Pat Spilsbury up to The
Nills (one of Mary and Henry's Pontesbury homes1916-1917) or an
informal get together with Gordon Dickins with members sharing
favourite readings.
For those of us who braved the threatening skies to follow Pat, we felt that we were trully walking in Mary's footsteps and tried to imagine Pontesford Hill with its line of larches instead of the conifer forestry which is there today. This was a nostalgic journey too for Pat whose old childhood home was a stonesthrow from The Nills.We also visited Rose Cottage (now Roseville), the Webb's home from 1914-1916.This landscape was the inspiration for The Golden Arrow and Gone to Earth and how we would have liked to have" lingered longer".
A welcome tea beckoned and after a break to socialise and look at the displays it was off to;
The concert was organised by chairman Wynford Wyke whose daughter Eloise, the youngest member of the society is a member of the orchestra and choir.The programme entitled "Music for a Summer Evening" was a marvellous mixture of classical and modern from "Panis Angelus" to "Raindrops keep falling on my head". We were all so impressed by the talent and confidence of these young performers...A memorable evening. Thanks to all.
We were not disappointed with Gladys Mary's poetry and prose selection, beautifully illustrated by Gordon's slides. The summer school would not be complete without glimpses into Mary Webb's Shropshire world.
The last lecture was;
Dr Siobhan Kilfeather teaches English at the University of Sussex and is a specialist in Irish literature and writing by women. Siobhan is a vibrant,eloquent speaker whose talk on the context of Gone to Earth in British Cinema in the late 1940s contrasted the many views of the film including a new take on its allegorical meaning. She brought up many issues which continued to be discussed over lunch. This film is close to the hearts of Mary Webb Society members particularly as some of them actually appeared in it!
Another year,,another Summer School. It's over all too quickly,a chance to meet up with old friends and new and to look forward to the next event.,The AGM and photographic weekend with Gordon Dickins at the Secret Hills Centre, Craven Arms 25th & 26th Sepember2004 ..Don't Miss it!
Report by Liz Stamps
Richard Moult has set seven of Mary Webb's poems to music
including "A Hawthorn Berry" and the collection
entitled "Presences" is now available to
purchase from Richard Moult at: Quilver Press, BM Box 3824,
London WC1N 3XX Presences is priced at £15 including P
& P( Overseas $40 - including airmail) Secret Joy is
£5. Secret Joy comprises: Rose Berries, A Rainy Day, Be
Still, You Little Leaves, The Secret Joy.Cheques payable to
Richard Moult please.
There will be a performance of Presences at Clun Church on
4th May 2003 at 7.00pm.Please note the change of time.
Performers will be from the Birmingham Conservatoire.
Gladys Mary Coles will also be reading from the works of MW
during the evening. This promises to be a memorable event.
For a preview, check out Richard's web site at
www.geocities.com/redfurlongs/presences.htm
"It is my hope therefore, that the music of Presences serves the poems, and remains true to the integrity and inspirations of the poet. In the setting of her work, I certainly had no interest in pursuing some contemporary musical idea unrelated to Mary and her poetry, and thus I would like to think that if Mary could hear the seven settings, she would have fully approved of the music. Indeed, I hope, that she does approve"..(Richard Moult)