The idea behind this talk arose from an increasing awareness of how many writers, in their own work, quoted lines or phrases from one of Housman’s poems. The most obvious is Colin Dexter’s The Remorseful Day, in the Morse series of books. But there are so many more including – WH Auden, John Betjeman, Dorothy Sayers, Tom Stoppard. The talk starts, however, with Housman himself, noting that he was born and brought up in Worcestershire, not Shropshire, and was a Latin scholar not a poet. The timeless and universal themes in A Shropshire Lad are covered, as well as the circumstances that led to his writing the 63 poems.

Presented by Linda Hart, with readings by Max Hunt. Both have a keen interest in A.E. Housman. Max will be reading Housman poems on the Bredon Hill Walk on 26^th June. Max and Linda will also be presenting A Shropshire Lad’s Journey from Gloucester to Cambridge on 28^th June.

Two-course lunch is served at 1.00 pm (special diets can be accommodated) but arrive early to get a drink and enjoy the lovely house and gardens.  The talk will commence about 2.00 pm.