T1. ... The Hopkins Society was formed in 1989 after the success of celebrations in North Wales of the centenary of Gerard Manley Hopkins' death. It aims to celebrate Hopkins' contribution to English Literature, keep members informed of recent news and research about Hopkins, hold Hopkins study days, an annual Hopkins lecture and produce a journal. Meetings are held in the Spring and Autumn.
The society aims to have at least one meeting a year based in Wales and/or the North West where Hopkins trained as a Jesuit at St Beuno's (left) and was a Curate at St Francis Xavier's Church in Liverpool. From time to time the annual lectures given by distinguished speakers are published and available to buy. (see Resources page for further information) STOP PRESS - LATEST NEWS 1..... important news about the Highgate event. We had originally planned with the Betjeman Society to have The Highgate Highflyers conference in person during the first weekend of October. After consulting the ALS committee, it was decided that we will now hold an online conference on Saturday, 2 October from 10.30am to 3.45pm. During that day there will be online talks by Lance Pierson, Dr Jane Wright, Dr Jill Robson and Julia Hudson exploring the lives and works of Hopkins and Betjeman. At first sight they seem very different poets, but there are many points of intersection between the two in their lives, poetry and interests. The cost of registering for the virtual event will be £12 per person. The full programme and registration form are to be found on the "Forthcoming Events" page now on this website. 2. The Hopkins Society members have put together a series of essays about Hopkins Family Circle .... entitled "Father and mother dear, Brothers and sisters near": Gerard Manley Hopkins’ Family Circle........ It is a symposium by members of the Society which originated in talks given in Stratford Library in 2017. The essays bring Gerard and his family together, exploring the lives of parents, brothers, sisters and Aunt Anne and the part they played in his own life and creativity. For contributors see the Serendipity page .... The booklet is only £5 (plus £2 for postage and packing to addresses in the UK and £5 for an overseas address)) and copies can be obtained from our Membership Secretary, Claire Hutt (alisaclaire@talktalk.net) ........we have reseived a review from Graham Fawcett, a highly regarded Poetry Teacher online, and Hopkins enthusiast ...... " I have now had the pleasure of reading the Hopkins Society symposium on GMH's family circle. It's a gem of incisive thinking Most of all, (it is) the passion for the subject and loyalty to the poet which come across.... the whole booklet addresses questions about those family members I've always wondered about." 3. The Gift of Words: Throughout "lockdown" members have been contributing to a regular "Gift of Words" shared with other members via our secretary, Claire Hutt ..... see the Serendipity page for examples 4. ‘Reading Hopkins in Quarantine’ ....... A Steering Group member spotted an apt article for current COVID 19 days by Dr. Stephen Tardif published in Hopkins Quarterly, in which he looks to Hopkins’ final poem, ’To R. B.’, for a way to think about the challenges and opportunities afforded by the pain of separation and social distancing. The article may be accessed at:- www.thehopkinsquarterly.org/newsfeed/reading-hopkins-in-quarantine For membership details and to join the Society, please print out the form downloadable on the right, fill in and then forward to the Membership Secretary: (please note that the form does not contain the revised fees below - please ensure you arrange a standing order for the correct amount) .... Claire Hutt 17 Victoria Road, Stockton Heath Warrington WA4 2AL enclosing a cheque made out to 'The Hopkins Society' or email alisaclaire@talktalk.net (Also if you have any general queries about the Hopkins Society) Annual membership fees: (from 01.01.2021 - adjusted if you join now) 2. Adults £18.00 Overseas £25.00 Students £10.00 |
....STEERING GROUP MEMBERS
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