ODES aplenty are to be paid to Steep poet Edward Thomas in the coming months, as events take place to commemorate the centenary of his death.
A day of celebrations of his verse is being held in his beloved village on April 9 – the date in 1917 on which he died at the battle of Arras –?organised by the South Downs Poetry Festival.
Festival director Tim Dawes said:?“I think it is really important that we mark this the centenary of Thomas’ death in Steep, the village in which he lived, wrote and loved. We especially want to make this a celebration that everyone can join in with.”
There will be a series of readings from 10am to 11.30am at the Poet’s Stone on the Shoulder of Mutton Hill.
A workshop entitled Poet and Soldier will be led by Denise Bennett in the village hall from 2pm to 5pm. Tickets are £15, or £7.50 for those in full time education or claiming a means tested benefit.
At the same time there will be walking and singing around the village – Singing in the Spirit of Edward Thomas – with Rebecca Askew.
Thomas edited The Pocket Book of Poems and Songs for the Open Air and would surely have approved of such al fresco community singing. Tickets are £10, under 18s £5.
An Evening of Commemoration at All Saints?Parish Church will be held from 7pm to 9pm, organised with The Friends of Steep Church. All money raised will go to the Friends who help upkeep the building. Tickets are £7 to include a glass or wine or fruit juice in the interval.
For more information and online booking visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/southdownspoetryfestival
Also visit www.sdpf.org.uk
The annual birthday walk, organised by the Edward Thomas Fellowship, takes place on Sunday, at 10.30am, from Bedales School car park, Steep. There will be one at 2pm too from the car park again.
There is no food provided but the village hall has been booked for walkers to eat their own. Hot and cold drinks will be available.
Booking is not required. All welcome.