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

From 24/10/2024 until 26/10/2024
19:00 till 22:00
The Year Clock

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

On 26/10/2024
10:45 till 15:00
William Barnes and Thomas Hardy Study Day

The William Barnes Society and the Thomas Hardy Society are pleased to present a joint study day. The programme will focus on aspects of the relationship between Barnes and Hardy through their lives and work.

On 03/11/2024
15:00 till 17:00
The Year Clock

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

On 10/12/2024
14:30 till 15:30
Keepen Up O' Chris'mas

Festive celebrations in words and music.

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 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.