Sir John Betjeman Visit

 

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           On Saturday June 11th, 2005, The Shires Branch (launched in 1997), one of seven current branches of The Betjeman Society in the UK, organised ‘A Day Return to Norfolk’ for its members.

 

            The proceedings began at royal Wolferton Station, where estate manager Jim Holland, welcomed thirty odd enthusiasts with an introduction on the platform.  Shires Branch chairman Baz Morris then introduced presentations from key branch personnel, including Pamela Tawse, an ex Barts Hospital Nurse who knew Betjeman, and John Langford, a railway aficionado.

 

            Pamela recalled memories of her fascinating early childhood spent in Norfolk, where her father was a golf professional, and recounted how, as a local schoolgirl, she lined the route as the late King George’s coffin was brought to Wolferton Station from the Sandringham estate on a gun carriage.  John gave an amusing and informed talk on the history of the branch line.

 

            After a group photograph outside the station, the party’s day continued with a seaside lunch, before a tour of Sandringham House and Gardens, with a closing address in the royal church by Horace Liberty, the new editor of The Betjemanian, the Society’s annual magazine.

 

            In another film made in Norfolk: A Passion for Churches, John Betjeman applies a wry but affectionate scrutiny to the churches, clergy and parishioners of the county.  Originally a classic BBC documentary (now available on DVD) it is a touching eulogy to both the splendour and simplicity of English parish life, narrated by the late poet laureate. There is a memorable sequence featured in the film with a visit to Sandringham church.

 

            John Betjeman loved trains not just for themselves, but because they were a wonderful way of travelling through Britain and looking out, without ever having to drive, at ever changing townscapes and countryside.  His poetic output may not have been as prolific if it were not for trains, as many of his famous stanzas were begun with jottings on cigarette cartons during steamy journeys in smoky railway carriages.

 

            ‘Distant View of a Provincial Town’; ‘Pershore Station or A Liverish Journey First Class’; ‘Great Central Railway’; ‘Dilton Marsh Halt’ and ‘A Mind’s Journey to Diss’ all poignantly evoke memories of a bygone era.  And there are many more!

 

            Then there are poems about Norfolk.  In ‘Norfolk’ he recalls his early years when his father owned a yacht on The Broads and where the family spent their holidays in the East of England, aside from his beloved Cornwall.

 

            In his poem East Anglian Bathe, JB fondly remembers Horsey Mere.

 

            His verses about ‘Lord Cozens Hardy’ were created “in the very cold train last night”, he told his friend Lady Harrod  in a letter from his home at 43 Cloth Fair, London, on December 12th 1955.

 

 

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'John Betjeman Goes By Train'

The BFI DVD can be found on page 3 of the above article.

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