The D.H. Lawrence Festival is coming once again to Eastwood for 2022! Held every year to coincide with the birth of accomplished (and oft considered controversial) writer D.H. Lawrence in September 1885, Eastwood is once again hosting the Festival for this year. There will be a focus on two major themes alongside Lawrence, with local mining heritage and respect for the local environment: the event runs from September 2nd to September 11th.
“On behalf of the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, LLeisure Ltd, the D.H. Lawrence Society and many other supporting members of the community of Eastwood, acting as Master of Ceremonies I offer you a very warm welcome to this year’s D.H. Lawrence Festival […] Whether you pick and choose or do the whole range of activities, here is a chance to explore new friendship, as well as appreciating all the beauty and richness this town has to offer.” Alan Wilson, Chairman of the D.H. Lawrence Society
The will be a FREE drop-in Festival and exhibition launch at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum (NG16 3AW) on September 2nd, 6-8pm. The exhibition, ‘Eastwood: Coal, Community and Change’ – will show iconic images of the local coal mining community through the years to the closing of Moorgreen Colliery in 1985, coupled with the legacy of mining heritage Eastwood has maintained since. The exhibition runs until November 26th. Come along to hear more about all our upcoming events and enjoy a free glass of wine! Brochures with the entire event list will be available, but here is a selection of events during the festival.
TALKS
From September 2nd-17th, ‘D.H. Lawrence: Country Of My Heart’ Art Exhibition at Parnham Gallery (NG16 3AY) – A selection of paintings on the landscape of Lawrence and local steam railways by local artist Malcolm Parnham. Free during regular opening hours. Connected talks ‘Painting for Lawrence Country’ (10.am) and ‘Congo, a Cathedral in Eastwood’ (3.pm) take place on September 5th, please see https://www.theparnhamgallery.co.uk/ for more information.
September 3rd 10am-5pm: ‘The Countryside Of Our Hearts’ Day’s Conference at Eastwood Baptist Church (NG16 3EP) – A day of talks, chaired by Alan Wilson, exploring the way our respect and love for the environment has inspired both music and literature, and whether they have any relevance for contemporary climate change. We shall travel through the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Alan Wilson’s scoring of Lawrence’s pastoral novel ‘The White Peacock’ to the writings of D.H. Lawrence and Walt Whitman. Speakers to include Professor Keith Alldritt, Malcolm Gray and Professor Terry Gifford. Free but booking advised, email dhlfestival@gmail.com for more information.
September 4th 2-5pm: ‘D.H. Lawrence: Portraits, Environment and Wellbeing’ Seminar at Newstead Abbey (NG15 9HJ) – Doctor Andrew Harrison leads a series of lectures to celebrate the acquiring of the last known portrait of D.H. Lawrence with Professor Terry Gifford and Curator Louise Dunning with afternoon tea! £35 for talk, visit https://newsteadabbey.org.uk/d-h-lawrence for more information.
September 5th 7pm- 8.30pm ‘D.H. Lawrence Society Reading Group’ meeting in the upper room at the Horse and Groom, Moorgreen, NG16 2FF. The topic is Lawrence’s ‘Strike Pay’, led by Doctor Andrew Harrison.
September 6th 10am-12pm and 7-9pm: ‘Lawrence and the Mining Connection’ and ‘Odour of Chrysanthemums’ Talk at Eastwood Baptist Church (NG16 3EP) – Two talks on Lawrence’s ties to mining heritage and his famed short story by Doctor David Amos and Malcolm Grey.
September 10th 10am-9pm: The D.H. Lawrence Society Birthday Day on Zoom – An entire day of digital events including the annual Lawrence Evening Lecture with Doctor Annalise Grice! FREE, further details at https://www.dhlawrencesociety.com/ .
WALKS
September 5th 5.30am: ‘Prelude’ Dawn Ceremony at Colliers Wood Nature Reserve (NG16 2FF) – A special greeting of dawn ritual ceremony starting at Colliers Wood and moving to Moorgreen Reservoir for a concluding ‘liturgy of light’. FREE Event, bring your own breakfast!
September 7th 10.15am-2.30pm: Two Illustrative Walks at Brinsley Headstocks Car Park (NG16 5AE) – Two guided talks by David Amos and Paul Fillingham, introducing the prototype for a new digital trail for Mine2Minds Education! FREE, includes a lunch break (Bring your Own) and the option of Tea or Coffee in the local cafes near the Birthplace Museum.
September 11th 10.30am – 2.30pm: Nature and Heritage Trail at Brinsley Headstocks (NG16 5AE) – Friends of Brinsley Headstocks host a special nature trail and table top sale, see http://www.brinsleyheadstocks.org/index.html for more information!
FREE OPEN DAYS
During the event select sites will have FREE ENTRY on specific Open Days! D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum opens for FREE on September 8th from 10am to 3.30pm with costumed guides bringing the site, artefacts and Lawrence family to life! Also open for FREE on September 8th from 10am to 3pm will be Greasley Church with an organ recital at 1.30pm by Alan Wilson, followed by other short events, alongside sumptuous refreshments. Don’t forget to also try delicious Cream Tea at Darlings with 10% off on the day (pre booking essential).
Finally September 10th and 11th from 11am to 3pm will see an Open Day at Breach House, Lawrence’s second childhood home and rarely viewed by the public!
MUSIC
September 8th 7pm: ‘Beauvale Priory: The Carthusian Order and Lawrence (NG16 2AA) – Visit the stunning Priory, with both its religious and Lawrence connections, beginning with illustrative talks by Rolf Pentzlin and Malcolm Gray, ending with a late night Medieval style Compline sung in the ruins at sundown. FREE!
September 9th 7.30pm: ‘Thanksgiving ‘Called to serve’ Concert at Hill Top Church, Our Lady of Good Counsel (NG16 2AQ) – Following the thread of the earlier 10.am Festival Organ Mass, a very special evening’s concert of music and readings, devised by Alan Wilson, will take place, paying tribute to two recently deceased beloved local dignitaries (Priest Father John Berry and Social Historian Clive Leivers), as well as portraying the close links between this church and the iconic Beauvale Priory. FREE!
September 10th Evening: Eastwood Celebrates Live Music! – As part of the Birthday celebration Eastwood will be inviting performers across various venues for special local talent! Various locations, contact for more information.
FINALE: September 11th 3pm at St Mary’s Church in Greasley (NG16 2AB)
The Festival ends with a vibrant community Thanksgiving Service, organised by the Reverend Denise Dodd, Vicar of St Mary’s, to commemorate the themes of Mining Heritage and the sanctity of the local environment! FREE!
For full information on all events and bookings please visit https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/things-to-do/d-h-lawrence-birthplace-museum-p641161 or pick up a festival brochure from the museum!
Posted on 15 August 2022
