News and Events
Here is the Fellowship's programme for 2013, plus information about a new play depicting Edward Thomas, as well as details of a magnificent illustrated edition of Edward Thomas's poems and a CD of readings of his poetry and prose.

Birthday Walk
Study Day
Autumn Walk
The Dark Earth and the Light Sky
Words into Wood
Fast Beat My Heart

The Edward Thomas Birthday Walk:
Sunday 3rd March 2013

Each year, on the Sunday nearest to Edward Thomas's birthday (3rd March), the Fellowship organises a walk in the countryside near his home at Steep, near Petersfield in Hampshire. This event is the main annual gathering for Fellowship members.

As in recent years, there will be two walks during the day, and members are welcome to join either or both walks. Both walks will start at the car park of Bedales School, Church Road, Steep, GU32 2DG, where parking and toilets will be available throughout the day. Walk sheets will also be available then or can be downloaded in advance here.

Those coming on the morning walk should meet in the car park between 10:00 and 10:30 am. The morning walk (a strenuous 4½ miles) will start at 10:30 am prompt, and will include a visit to the memorial stone on the Shoulder of Mutton Hill.

The afternoon walk will start at 2:30 pm from the car park at Bedales School and will be a more leisurely stroll of around 2½ miles.

Members of the Fellowship will read appropriate poems and prose during the walks and at the end of the lunch break.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear (walking boots or wellingtons) for both walks. All those participating in the walks do so at their own risk.

We shall end the day at Steep Church around 4:00 pm, where tea will be available at a modest cost. This will be followed by the Fellowship’s AGM and the Birthday Tribute, which will include selected readings from the works of Edward Thomas and associated writers.

If you would like any further information about the day, please contact Mike Cope, the organiser.

Study Day
Saturday 29th June 2013

This event is currently being planned. Full details will be posted here early in 2013.

Autumn Walk
Date to be announced

Each year, the Fellowship organises a walk in a British location associated with Edward Thomas through his life or writing. Basic information about the next Autumn Walk will be posted here early in 2013.

Also of interest:
The Dark Earth and the Light Sky
Almeida Theatre,
Islington, London N1 1TA
8th November 2012 - 12th January 2013

A play by Nick Dear, which follows the later life of Edward Thomas, focusing particularly on his relationships with Robert Frost, Helen Thomas and Eleanor Farjeon, and the circumstances in which Thomas began to write poetry. Find out more.

Listen to an interview with Nick Dear (playwright) and Richard Eyre (producer), discussing the background and production of this play, on Front Row (BBC Radio 4, 13/11/12).

Edward Thomas: Words into Wood

The Edward Thomas Fellowship has published a fine-art limited-edition book featuring eighteen poems by Edward Thomas, illustrated by specially commissioned wood engravings by contemporary artists. Find out more.

CD of poetry and prose by Edward Thomas

Fast Beat My Heart: Edward Thomas and Family at Steep is an hour-long CD featuring readings by Alastair Danson and Harriet Grasby of the Spoken Word company, specialists in literary and poetry events and programmes. The CD includes the voice of Myfanwy Thomas with a few extracts from her book One of These Fine Days. This is an audio-anthology compiled, recorded and produced for the Edward Thomas Fellowship by Chris Brown.

The programme is divided into four segments: 'Openings' / 'Steep - Season by Season' / 'Home - at the crest and the feet of the hill' / 'Towards an Ending'. The content is taken from Edward Thomas's poetry and prose, as well as extracts from his letters, together with sections from his wife Helen's letters and prose and from his daughter Myfanwy's writing.

The cover (shown here) has specially commissioned artwork depicting species of plants and creatures local to the village of Steep and with a central motif of a thrush and the plant Lad's Love (or Old Man), both of which are focal points in the poetry of Edward Thomas.

This CD costs £10.00 including post and packing. Cheques should be payable to 'The Edward Thomas Fellowship'. Orders (with a return address clearly stated, please) should be sent to: Richard Emeny, Edward Thomas CD, Melrose House, 4 High Street, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 6NQ.