Ronald Blythe – A Celebration

Sat March 9, 2013 at Nayland Church

From 11am to the evening!

A day of talks, readings, films and music reflecting the career of Dr Ronald Blythe as he celebrates his 90th birthday.  

One of the great essayists, poets and novelists of this century and the last, Ronald Blythe is author of Akenfield: Portrait of an English Village and made films for the BBC. He was editor of Penguin Classics for more than 20 years, worked with Benjamin Britten at the Aldeburgh Festival, and continues to live, preach and work in rural Essex.  In 2012, The Independent called him “England's greatest living country writer”.

With contributions from naturalist and author Richard Mabey, Dr James Canton, and Prof Marina Warner from University of Essex. There will also be music from the Aldeburgh Festival’s resident Quartet, films from the BBC archives, poetry inspired by the Stour’s rich artistic history and the day will be chaired by Lord Phillips of Sudbury.

Admission tickets valid for all sessions, and all day - £10, tickets will soon be available from the Quay Box Office.

You can also see a recent interview with Ronald which is in the March 2013 copy of the Suffolk Norfolk Life magazine.

The University of Essex said:

Ronald Blythe – A Celebration is supported by the University of Essex, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2014 and is one of the UK’s top ten universities for research. Our involvement in the event offers us a unique opportunity to help highlight the rich culture of our region and further celebrate our connection with Ronald Blythe, an Honorary Doctor of the University and Genius Loci of the Memory Maps project, a collaboration between Marina Warner, Professor of Creative Writing and her department at the University of Essex and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Download the guide to the days events.