William Barnes Society Events

Dorset Meetings are held throughout the year, with talks, poetry readings, recitals and other entertainments including excursions to places with special Barnes connections. Annual events include a spring Service of Remembrance at Winterborne Came Church, a June, Summer Lunch and a wreath laying at St. Peter's Church, Dorchester, in October.

• Non-members are welcome to our events as advertised (£3 for entry), William Barnes Society members FREE. For more information on joining click here.
• External events advertised outside of the organisation may be ticketed.

On 23/02/2020
Starts 14:30
Tea with William Barnes

Dialect poet William Barnes relished the country dances, folksongs and carols of Dorset, and often wrote about community celebrations, where music was a key part of the proceedings.

On 10/03/2020
19:30 till 20:30
THOMAS HARDY'S DEBT TO WILLIAM BARNES

Thomas Hardy's debt to William Barnes by Alan Chedzoy

On 21/04/2020
19:30 till 20:30
TURNPIKES AND HIGHWAYS OF DORSET

Turnpikes and Highways of Dorset by Rob Curtis

On 26/04/2020
10:30 till 12:00
Annual Service of Remembrance of William Barnes

Morning service, with dialect reading and wreath laying at William Barnes and and his daughter Laura grave

On 30/08/2020
12:00 till 15:30
WILLIAM BARNES AT STOCK GAYLARD OAK FAIR 2020

Please do come along and join us on Sunday 30th August at St Barnabas Church and enjoy a little of the great man, William Barnes.

On 08/09/2020
19:30 till 20:30
RE-TUNING THE LEGACY OF WILLIAM BARNES

Folksinger John Blackmore presents a talk with songs following the release of his CD 'Beauty of Blackmore'

On 19/09/2020
14:30 till 16:00
CELEBRATING WILLIAM BARNES WITH TIM LAYCOCK & FRIENDS

Music and Poetry reading in the garden of Thomas Hardy's Max Gate

On 11/10/2020
10:30 till 12:00
MORNING SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AT ST PETERS, DORCHESTER

Morning church service to commemorate William Barnes death.

On 08/12/2020
19:00 till 21:00
KEEPEN UP O' CHRIS'MAS 2020

Festive celebrations in words and music