The Mary Webb Society was established at a public meeting at Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, England in 1972. Its aims are:
The society attracts members from throughout the UK and overseas who are devoted to the literature of Mary Webb and appreciate the Shropshire scene which was so essential to the author's creative spirit. At present there are 160 members (Oct-01).
The committee plans a programme of about four events a year. These always include a birthday lunch, and a two-day summer school which includes lectures, tours and entertainment.
Events are held at various Shropshire locations related to the life and literature of Mary Webb.
The AGM is held each year in September.
The society has a rota for placing fresh flowers on Mary Webb's grave at Shrewsbury Cemetery each month.
The Society has been awarded a grant from the lottery fund to develop an educational project. An education pack has now been produced for schools, further education and libraries. It includes study notes on Precious Bane and Gone to Earth in addition to articles on the landscape, folklore and dialect of Mary Webb
Other special events have included, the planting of a Mary Webb rose in the garden of Leighton Lodge, Mary's birthplace in March 1993, and the Mary Webb Rose commissioning of a plaque depicting the Mary Webb countryside to commemorate the society's affection for its late founder chairman, Dennis Pursell.
The society has also compiled a Mary Webb archive from information previously held by individual members. This archive now has a permanent home at Lythwood Road, Bayston Hill (formerly Bayston Hill Library) near Shrewsbury, and can be viewed by request, as can the Mary Webb garden at the same location.
Newsletters are sent out periodically as well as details of forthcoming events.
The society is affiliated to The Alliance of Literary Societies. In 1997 the Mary Webb society hosted the A.G.M. in Birmingham
The society is proud to have as its president, Dr Gladys Mary Coles, author of the Flower of Light, The definitive biography of Mary Webb, as well as other works on Mary Webb and her own extensive writing and poetry. Dr Coles is available to lecture to other literary societies and interested groups.