Our Annual Celebration of Dorset and the Dialect Poet William Barnes!
Artsreach invites audiences to join them for their annual celebration of poet William Barnes, who was born in Bagber near Sturminster Newton on 22 February 1801. A scholar, linguist, artist, priest and inventor, Barnes wrote over 800 poems in the Dorset dialect. Barnes also relished the country dances, folksongs and carols of Dorset, and often wrote about community celebrations, where music was a key part of the proceedings.
Alongside a delicious cream tea, The Ridgeway Singers and Band, led by Phil Humphries and Tim Laycock, present a carefully curated programme that will include folksongs and dance tunes collected from across Dorset at the turn of the 20th century.
This year’s programme includes I Live not Where I Love, collected in 1906 by the Hammond brothers from Robert Barratt of Puddletown, Hark, Hark! from Marnhull, and Major Malleys Reel and Tink a Tink from the Hardy family music books. The afternoon will also include several new pieces - a setting of William Barnes' poem 'Rustic Childhood', and two contrasting instrumental pieces by Nick Dunckley, Skekler's Waltz and the Fiddleford Polka. Recitals of some of Barnes' much-loved poems will keep alive the rich dialect of Dorset.
Those unable to join us at the event in person will also be able to tune in from home and watch the event being live-streamed online.
Artsreach is delighted to be partnering with Dorset Food & Drink once again to host a mini pop-up producers and makers market on the day. Shoppers will get the chance to try some famous local produce or perhaps discover something brand new made in Dorset!
Taking place in the Atrium of The Exchange, the pop-up market will be open to the public from 11am-3pm.
