Lake District Literature - People and Places

April 11th - 16th 2010

PROGRAMME
   

The Lake District has a long association with writers and poets - some internationally famous and others are more locally known. All have found inspiration from the landscape that surrounded them. Our programme will explore a selection of writers and poets and the places where they lived and wrote about, in a combination of talks, tours and visits. The aim is for an experience and an appreciation not only of the great literary heritage of the region but also of its outstanding landscape.

Sunday
    

* Literary Resumé of the Lake District

A brief illustrated talk by Richard Hyde to present a framework on which to locate the subjects covered this week.
    

Monday
   

* William Wordsworth and places associated

An illustrated talk by Richard Hyde studying a great English poet and the places connected with him.

* Tour of Rydal & Grasmere

To locate some of the places associated with William Wordsworth, his family and circle of friends. A visit will be made to the church and churchyard at Grasmere and private visits to the Wordsworth homes at Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount.

Tuesday
    

* Potter, Ruskin & Ransome and places associated

An illustrated presentation by Richard Hyde to appreciate three writers who left their respective marks on generations of children, adults and academics.
   

* Tour of Southern Lake District mainly around Coniston and Hawkshead

The landscape that Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ransome used at the heart of many of their stories will be seen to good effect. A visit to Brantwood, the home of John Ruskin, will be led by the curator and the surrounding scenery he so much admired can be appreciated. Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse, will also be visited.

Wednesday
    

* "The Greatest Cumbrian Poet Since Wordsworth”?: The Writing of Norman Nicholson with David Cooper of Lancaster University.
   

* Guided walk of Ambleside (optional)

Including a visit to the Armitt Museum.
   

* Lakeland Dialect Society

Evening talk

Thursday
   

* Tour of the Northern Lakes

The areas included will be Keswick with a visit to Mirehouse (steeped in literary connections, where we will have a private visit with the owner Mrs Spedding), Borrowdale and Buttermere. The tour will look at sites and scenery associated with William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey, Hugh Walpole, Beatrix Potter and Melvyn Bragg.
   

* Literary Anecdotes

Richard & Nicky will present an entertaining presentation read from a selection of writers and poets relevant to the Lake District and its landscape.

Friday
Summary of holiday, finishing at the coffee break.
    

THE TUTORS

Richard Hyde is a freelance Blue Badge Guide for Cumbria and Northumbria. He has been living in Cumbria since 1976 and has a great love for, and interest in, this region. He has particular experience in leading tours and giving presentations for alumni and museum groups.Richard has been involved in the Heritage Tours at Rothay Manor for the past three years, and amongst his interests are walking and photography. Many of his photographs are used in his illustrated lectures.
   

Nicky Godfrey-Evans has been a freelance Blue badge Guide since 1977 and has been living in Cumbria since 1979. She is a nationally recognised guide trainer.
Nicky established a tour operating and guiding business that she has run for nearly twenty years with the help of her husband Richard Hyde. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and love of Cumbria with visitors and is delighted to be a part of this excellent heritage programme.

The 5-night holiday runs from Sunday evening through to mid-day Friday, and the price is per person and includes early morning tea, full English breakfast, morning coffee, 3-course Dinner and VAT @ 17.5% for the 5 night stay.

Non-participating partners are welcome, and the cost for them is £50 less than above. A limited number of places are available for Non-residents, with the items of the holiday and Dinner each evening included.

We ask for a deposit of £150 per person for the 5-night holiday, which can be by cheque or credit card. This is non-refundable unless the room is subsequently relet, and cancellation insurance is available.