A to Z of South Downs to be captured in poetry

March 15, 2016

The rich heritage of the South Downs National Park is to be celebrated in an alphabet of poems created by local communities, thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

This celebration of Sussex heritage and the establishment of the UK’s newest national park is inspired by the work of writer, Eleanor Farjeon, who wrote the words to the much-loved hymn, Morning has Broken, that later became a world-wide hit for Cat Stevens. Her series of poems, A Sussex Alphabet, was published in 1939.

This is a partnership venture between the South Downs National Park Authority and The Write House – an independent group of local historians and writers, founded by Drs June Goodfield and Peter Robinson, who conceived this alphabet project.

School children from across Hampshire, West and East Sussex will join up with retired and semi-retired people from the University of the Third Age, to think and write about the landscapes, wildlife and people that we value most about the South Downs today. This will be developed into a new poetry book, to be published in December 2016 alongside a reprint of Eleanor Farjeon’s original collection.

Amanda Elmes, Learning and Outreach lead for the South Downs National Park Authority, said:

“From Jane Austen to Virginia Woolf and Eric Ravilious to Rudyard Kipling, so many writers, artists and poets have been inspired by the landscapes of South Downs. We’re really excited to be able to bring young and older people together and see what they will create to inspire future generations.”

Lynne Truss, local author of many books, including best-seller, Eats, Shoots and Leaves, said:

“What people will respond to, I hope, is the playful nature of Eleanor Farjeon’s Sussex Alphabet. This new project will celebrate the South Downs, and demonstrate talent, but will also be a lot of fun.”

The Heritage Lottery Fund have given £18,500 towards the project, which is also being supported with £14,100 from the National Park Authority. Snake River Press, a much-respected publisher of beautiful books about the art, culture, personalities and landscape of Sussex, has generously agreed to cover all the costs of printing and publishing the final edition.

Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East, said:

“The rolling hills and picturesque scenery of the South Downs has inspired a host of great writers over the years so it’s fantastic to see its heritage used to inspire the writers of the future. We’re a long term supporter of the National Park, helping people to explore everything from its songs to its folklore and we’re delighted to support this new project to engage a whole new audience with this much-loved place.”