John Masefield

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 have decorated their Christmas windows with ‘The Box of Delights’.

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/

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!