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.

On 28/04/2019
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 06/05/2019
15:00 till 16:30
Rambling with Dorset Poetry and Song

Immerse yourself in the literature and music of Dorset. Join members of the William Barnes Society and composer/ musician John Blackmore for this gentle ramble around Cerne Abbas and its immediate surroundings.

On 02/06/2019
11:00 till 16:00
The Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair

Come along to Dorchester's first Victorian Street Fair to celebrate the 179th Birthday of one of Dorchester's most famous residents.

On 15/06/2019
11:00 till 17:00
Sturminster Newton Literary Festival

The William Barnes Society have been invited to attend this event which will run throughout the day, with readings including some by members of the Society, in coffee shops and public places.

On 11/07/2019
10:00 till 16:15
Historic Church Tours 2019 - Dorset Inspirations

Discover how Dorset churches have inspired classic literature and architecture.

On 13/07/2019
12:30 till 17:00
Yetminster Street Fair

Yetminster Fair is one of the oldest street fairs in the region. It has been running almost continuously since the 13th Century under a charter granted to the Bishop of Salisbury for a fair “to be held in his manor of Yetminster”.

On 25/08/2019
12:00 till 15:30
William Barnes at Stock Gaylard Oak Fair 2018

Please do come along and join us on Sunday 26th August at St Barnabas Church, midday and again at 3:30pm and enjoy a little of the great man, William Barnes.

On 21/09/2019
14:30 till 16:00
Celebrating William Barnes with Tim Laycock and Friends

Music and Poetry reading in the garden of Thomas Hardy's Max Gate

On 06/10/2019
10:30 till 12:00
Morning Service of Remembrance at St Peters, Dorchester

Morning church service to commemorate William Barnes death.

On 15/10/2019
19:00 till 21:00
2018 Annual General Meeting of the William Barnes Society

2018 Annual General Meeting

On 10/12/2019
19:00 till 21:00
Keepen Up O' Chris'mas

Festive celebrations in words and music with Tim Laycock and friends.