Housman birthday is celebrated at statue

Housman was born on March 26th 1859 in Fockbury and each year members of the Housman Society with friends and guests, gather to celebrate his birth.

Town Crier Kevin Ward opened the event, Housman Society chairman Peter Waine welcomed those who attended and introduced the speaker, former society chairman and Housman enthusiast Jim Page who read a couple of his favourite Housman poems.

After the commemoration at the statue, guests enjoyed lunch in the Old Chapel at Bromsgrove School where Mr Page gave a speech to celebrate the society’s 50th anniversary.

The Times Literary Supplement of December 5th 1972 included this announcement from Mr J Hunt of Ebury House, Romsley: “It has been decided to found a Housman Society, preferably based in Bromsgrove, the birthplace of the brothers A.E. and Laurence and their novelist, engraver sister Clemence. Its object will be research into the life, work and genealogy of the Housman family.”

On Saturday, May 5th 1973, in the Old Chapel at Bromsgrove School, Joe Hunt and John Pugh, with support from more than 100 people, held the inaugural meeting of the Housman Society.

Fifty years on, Max and Julian Hunt continue their father’s ambitions as society secretary and editor of the Journal respectively, with author Peter Waine as chairman. This year the society celebrates its 50th anniversary and a number of events are being held in Bromsgrove to mark this milestone.

Unfortunately, since the commemoration, the statue has been moved from its plinth in the High Street. The statue was seen wobbling when young people were found climbing on it. Bromsgrove District Council have removed it while plans are made to better stabilise it. We hope to see it returned soon.

By Jo Slade