“William Barnes, Robert Young and the Spirit of Stur”
David Fox shares insights into the past of the town and Vale life as depicted in the poetry and writings of William Barnes (1801-86) and Robert Young (1811-1908). Both were Sturminster-born and David puts this into the context of local history. Young witnessed local celebrations of victory at Waterloo, the arrival of the railway in 1863 and lived to see a motor car. Barnes’ poetry of Blackmore Vale life saw him receive visits from the likes of Tennyson, and he was mentor to the young Thomas Hardy.
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