In the footsteps of Richard Jefferies – Part One

Did you know that one of our most cherished and important nature writers lived in Tolworth? Richard Jefferies (1848-1887) was born in Coate in Wiltshire, but moved to live in Tolworth, at 296 Ewell Road, from 1877 – 1882.

During this time he wrote what is acknowledged to be his finest writing, some of which was collected in a book of essays called Nature Near London. Every day Jefferies would walk along the Ewell Road in various directions, but often he would stroll down towards Tolworth Court Farm Fields and to the Hogsmill. Sometimes he would walk towards Worcester Park, at other times he would wander along the river in the other direction, towards Ewell or Chessington.

We can walk in his footsteps, and still see and experience some of what he saw and wrote about back then. Come with us on a journey through the eyes and feet of this prolific and important writer (and walker!) who put Tolworth on the map in a way that no one else has. His work is hugely important and influential, and people still make pilgrimages to see where he lived, walked and worked.

On Bank Holiday Monday, May 7th, we will meet outside Richard Jefferies’ old home, now a Stack and Bonner Estate Agents, at 11am. Then we will walk down the Ewell Road, just as he did (but with cars and a lot more concrete), out to the edgelands between Greater London and Surrey, where the spirit of Jefferies still haunts the landscape.

We will stop briefly at 11.45am, at the railway bridge at Tolworth railway station, and then continue on, down the A240, to the bridge over the Hogsmill and on to the white bridge at the confluence of the Bonesgate Stream and Hogsmill.

We will then cross over the A240 and go to Tolworth Court Farm Moated Manor, and see if we can spot the kestrels currently nesting there; then head down Old Kingston Road and finish at the Court Farm Garden Centre Cafe between 12.30-1pm.

The walk will end with tea, chat and some optional writing activities, plus a chance to look at old photos of the area we will be walking in, including the barn Jefferies described in his essay in Nature Near London, and the old bridge at Tolworth Hall.

Discover one of Tolworth’s greatest Treasures!

The walk is FREE

Facebook event here!

Disclaimer: walks undertaken at participants’ own risk and responsibility. Please contact re accessibility / mobility*

Steampunk Your Poetry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will be amazed, astonished and astounded at what can be achieved with only the merest writing implements and the application of your thought engine!

 

Nebula Zine

It’s always exciting when you receive a copy of a publication that you have a poem in. But when it arrives through the post, wrapped in black and holographic dots, a tissue paper version of the opening credits of the original Star Trek, then you know it’s a goody.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nebula is a new zine, and Samina Bhatti, its editor, has put together a bijou first issue, which at A6 size, and just 8 pages long, manages to pack in poems, a dvd review, and a cartoon. The zine has a clear remit- sci-fi, with women-only contributors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, if you would like a FREE copy, or would like to submit work to the next issue please email nebulazine@outlook.com, or find out more via the Nebula Zine Facebook page.