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.

From 01/08/2024 until 01/08/2025
Starts 00:00
William Barnes Harvest Celebration

This FREE online event is a selection of poetry and music performed by members of the William Barnes Society

On 22/02/2025
Starts 09:00
Barnes Night: A Celebration of the Life and Work of William Barnes

Tim Laycock and members of the William Barnes Society have produced a special programme with KeeP 106 radio celebrating Barnes’ life and featuring poetry and music in the Dorset dialect. 

On 23/02/2025
Starts 15:00
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 20/03/2025
Starts 09:00
A Dorset Spring through the Poetry of William Barnes

This FREE online event is a selection of poetry and music performed by members of the William Barnes Society

On 09/04/2025
Starts 00:00
Friends Beyond - Barnes, Moule and Hardy

This FREE online talk, filmed in April 2022, evaluates and re-examines the significance of William Barnes and Horace Moule as key mentors to Thomas Hardy including the classical and literary, philosophical,  religious and socio-political influences that they had on the Wessex writer and poet.

On 27/04/2025
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 27/04/2025
17:00 till 19:00
The Year Clock

Performed by Tim Laycock and Colin Thompson. A Celebration of Language, History, and the Life of William Barnes

On 24/08/2025
10:00 till 17:00
William Barnes at Stock Gaylard Oak Fair 2025

Please do come along and join us on Sunday 24th August 2025 at St Barnabas Church.

On 19/09/2025
15:00 till 17:00
Celebrating William Barnes, Poet and Priest at Whitcombe Church

In celebration of the history of this remarkable church and the work of William Barnes

On 09/12/2025
14:30 till 15:30
Keepen Up O' Chris'mas

Festive celebrations in words and music.