William Barnes Society Receives Honourable Mention at Shaftesbury Fringe 2026

William Barnes Society members Charles Buckler and Brian Caddy reading poetry at the Shaftesbury Deli Garden

The William Barnes Society is delighted to announce that “William Barnes Back in Shaftesbury” has received an Honourable Mention in the Best Poetry and Spoken Word Act category at the Shaftesbury Fringe 2026.

The recognition celebrates the Society’s presentation of the poetry, language and cultural heritage of Dorset’s much-loved poet, William Barnes, bringing his distinctive Dorset dialect poetry to a modern audience.

The performance formed part of the Society’s ongoing work to keep Barnes’s words alive through poetry readings, spoken word, music and performance. William Barnes was renowned for capturing the landscape, traditions, people and distinctive speech of rural Dorset, and the Society continues to promote enjoyment and understanding of his work.

The “William Barnes Back in Shaftesbury” performance demonstrated how Barnes’s poetry can still connect with audiences today, more than a century after his death. The Honourable Mention at the Shaftesbury Fringe is a wonderful acknowledgement of the performers’ work and of the continuing appeal of Barnes’s poetry.

The William Barnes Society would like to thank the Shaftesbury Fringe, its audiences, volunteers and everyone who supported the performance. The Society is proud to have brought William Barnes back to Shaftesbury and to have shared his remarkable words and Dorset voice with a new generation.

This recognition comes during an exciting year for the Society, which continues to celebrate Barnes through performances and events across Dorset, alongside its work supporting the preservation and accessibility of his archive.

View the Shaftesbury Fringe 2026 Best in Fringe results