Since the first “Fun At Mill!” Tolkien Weekend in 2000 events at Sarehole Mill have focused on Tolkien’s life and local connections, the local environment and ecology, and the history of the area around the Mill, Moseley Bog, and the River Cole Valley which are all now part of the Shire Country Park.
Around 10,000 visitors come to see this historic working mill and the fair on the green behind it; all sorts of people, not just Tolkien fans, rub shoulders enjoying the stalls and displays. The Tolkien Society will have a display in the Mill, which should be running, and there will also be displays from local and national groups, a range of sideshows, various dramatic presentations, a telling of the Voyage of Eärendil, demonstrations, readings, poetry, costume displays, songs, Vikings, birds of prey, displays from a food historian, Morris Dancing, and fine things to buy.
In addition to the conference and collector’s exposition, Festival in the Shire’s main event is the festival itself! This is a large event with a wide variety of stalls and entertainment. Suitable for all the family, the Festival takes place in the extensive grounds of the Y Plas mansion in Machynlleth. Entertainment will include Tolkien inspired re-enactments, music and other performance art together with Celtic music and a myriad of fantasy related events. It will also offer attendees the opportunity to sample local Welsh food as well as view a variety of Celtic crafts and meet different craftspeople.Ted Nasmith, Douglas Anderson & Tom Shippey are listed as among the guests.
Tickets are available at £15 each, including a glass of wine, and can be ordered by e-mailing [email protected] or calling EJ Casting on +(0)207 564 2688
There is a range of activities such as academic talks & papers, workshops (see the Call for Papers below if you wish to offer something), new, second-hand and rare book dealers, an art show (with professional and amateur works), plus a quiet area where you can drink tea, fill up the corners and chat with old or new friends. Of course there is also a party including a masquerade (costume is optional) and entertainments. It is a great time for making new friends in the Society. On Sunday there is a wreath laying and short act of remembrance, Enyalië, at Tolkien’s grave.
Registration Rates:
£28 (members) or £33 (non-members), reduced rates for under 16s
up to 31st July (add £7.50 to each rate thereafter)
Accommodation and meals available within Lady Margaret Hall College (extra cost).
Thanks to Neenime for this news item.
Call for Papers & Announcement
The seminar provides academics, students and independent scholars with a venue for interdisciplinary dialogue. This year the theme is “Journeys and Destinations” in Tolkien’s works. Participants are free to draw on any part of Tolkien’s oeuvre, or to follow a thematic line within one text, or one text in its variant forms (draft ms, published work, amended edition).
Format: Papers should be either 20 or 45 minutes long to fit into half-hour or hour slots with time for questions or discussion. There may also be scope to accommodate a number of short 10-minute presentations. It is intended that there will be two morning sessions and one afternoon session. Please send the title, a short summary/abstract and the intended length to Ian Collier, the Education Secretary, as soon as possible. e-mail: [email protected]
Registration Costs:
Tolkien Society members: £20.00
Non-members: £23.00
The registration fee covers attendance at the seminar, and morning and afternoon tea and coffee. The closing date for registration is 13th June, however spaces are limited so to secure your place please book early.
Any queries regarding this Press Release should be addressed by
e-mail to: publicity AT tolkiensociety DOT org
