Discover more about John Masefield in this film from Ledbury Poetry Festival 2023 by Dr. Philip W Errington as part of our Dead Poets Society series
Philip is an antiquarian bookdealer and Masefield scholar. This talk celebrates the poetry of Ledbury’s most famous literary son, the UK’s Poet Laureate for over thirty years, and author of The Everlasting Mercy, Sea-Fever and the children’s novel The Box of Delights.
Christmas in Ledbury celebrates the Poet Laureate John Masefield and The Box of Delights
The Box of Delights has been called ‘the greatest children’s book ever written’ by The Times and is packed with adventure. It’s a magical tale of good and evil, wolves and a magical box that can travel through time which a child called Kay will have to fight to keep!
Here in Ledbury all the shops will be decorating their Christmas windows with ‘The Box of Delights’ celebrating this beautiful winter children’s book! Join creative art workshops on Sat 18th and Sat 25th Nov from 10am – 1pm in Ledbury Poetry House around this theme! Sign up HERE
You can listen to a beautiful reading and conversation about JOhn Masefield and his links to Ledbury on BBC sounds HERE: Elliott Webb – “The greatest children’s book ever written…” – BBC Sounds.
The Royal Shakespeare Company have created a magical show of The Box of Delights which runs through winter 2023. You can find out more HERE: https://www.rsc.org.uk/
On the afternoon of Sunday 26th November Ledbury Town Council turn on the Christmas Lights and on Friday 1st December Ledbury Traders host their annual Late Night Opening Event until 8pm with music, dance, stalls, food and all the shops sparkling.
Ledbury Poetry House will be open too as Sally Crabtree sprinkles magic and delight with her Sweetshop of Words at Ledbury Poetry House on Thursday 30th, Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December. Drop in for FREE activities plus jamboree bags for children with fun activities such as edible poems and ‘pop a poem’. On a light hearted level the Sweetshop of Words is a nostalgic reminder of the agonizing choice we had as children when we couldn’t decide what to spend our pocket money on! On a deeper level it raises the question of choice. Voltaire said that “The most important choice you can make is to be in a good mood ” and the Sweetshop of Words aims to help people to do this! Find out more HERE
The Ledbury Traders are donating funds raised by the Bumper Christmas Hamper Raffle, packed with goods from all the traders, and the sale of local mistletoe, to Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.
Ledbury will be packed with delights to celebrate Christmas. Everyone is welcome. Please come and visit our delightful town and all the beautiful independent shops packed with treasures #shoplocal!