Rupert Brooke declaiming poetry to Dudley Ward and
Jacques Raverat at the Old Vicarage in 1911
Rupert Brooke declaiming poetry to Dudley Ward and
Jacques Raverat at the Old Vicarage in 1911
There are many literary societies all over the world, honouring great names and those less well known. It was strange, therefore, that one of England's best-loved charismatic poets, Rupert Brooke, has never so far been honoured. That is, until one day, two great enthusiasts sat talking together in the Orchard at Grantchester and decided things must change!
Mike Read, had already written a book on Brooke, Forever England, he has also written a musical and put some of Brooke's poems to music. The other enthusiast, Robin Callan, owned the Orchard House and Tea Rooms. Brooke had lived at The Orchard for 18 months before moving to the Old Vicarage next door. Robin had purchased The Orchard when it was threatened with redevelopment. So, from sitting quietly under the apple trees, the seed of the Society was sown.
Together with the help of Dr Peter Miller and Linda Hart, the Society was launched on 24th August 1999. Members include Andrew Motion (Poet Laureate), and Dr Mary Archer, together with many enthusiasts from other parts of the world where Brooke spread his magic.