THERE have been events galore all over the country this year as well as within her native Hampshire to commemorate 200 years since Jane Austen died.
The much-loved novelist, who was born at Steventon, near Basingstoke, and spent the most fruitful years of her writing life at Chawton in East Hampshire before her death in Winchester, has been lauded throughout the literary world – she is even the first woman to grace a £10 note.
At Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton, near Alton, celebrations are held each December to mark Jane’s birthday. This year the annual open day will be held on Saturday, December 16, from 10am to 4pm.
There will be free house admission to all visitors. Mince pies will be served and there will be free Christmas craft activities inspired by the Austen family coverlet.
In the evening, the Mayor and Mayoress of Winchester will join The Hampshire Regency Dancers for a Grand Jane Austen Birthday Ball in Winchester’s Guildhall.
Tickets for the event, which starts at 7.30pm, are £45. For details and to book tickets, call 01962 840500 or e-mail: [email protected]