Hello
This email solicits interest from folk in attending a short course led
by myself - Robert Forsythe, on the relationship of the poet W. H. Auden
to the Pennine and Lakeland areas of Britain. This will involve
considerable mining interest examining his frequent references to the
mining world in his poetry and visiting associated sites.
In part this idea springs from the fact that May 2004 is the 50th
anniversary of the publication in American Vogue of Auden's incredible
itinerary with plentiful metal mining references England Six Unexpected
Days and a page on my own website
http://www.forsythe.demon.co.uk/audtour.htm
details this, explaining the mining linkages, offering a reading list
and further links.
I had hopes that this itinerary might be offered as a formal tour in May
2004. I doubt from the numbers who responded that this will be viable.
However a provisional slot from 28th March to 31st March is available at
Higham Hall The Lake District's Residential College for Adult
Education for a short course to be offered on Auden and the
Pennine/Lakeland connection. Higham is near Keswick and thereby the
cottage at Wescoe. If this would interest you send me email details
including a snail mail address to receive further information and pencil
in the date.
http://www.highamhall.com/ gives further information about the venue and
although exact details about course content and cost are still to be
finalised, an idea about the standards of the facility and typical
course cost can be gathered. I may add that Higham Hall has a high
reputation as a centre for adult education in Cumbria and the
opportunity to get an Auden slot in their programme is worth supporting.
Depending on the numbers who respond (and who they are!) there is the
chance that my role as leader may turn more to that of fascilitator and
that certain of those attending will be as well equipped (if not better)
than myself to talk about Auden. During the course it would be our
intention to spend one full day on a study tour which took in
Wescoe/Threlkeld, Penrith, Hartside, Alston Moor/Nenthead. The Smiths
have indicated that a visit to the Wescoe cottage would be welcome. More
will not be practical.
A final plea, if you are in a position to mention this to others who you
think might be interested, please do so.
--
Robert Forsythe
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