The William Cobbett Society was founded in 1976 to bring together those who have an interest in the life and writings of William Cobbett. A passionate defender of the freedom of the press Cobbett was prepared to defend it at the cost of imprisonment and exile.

'He is not only unquestionably the most powerful political writer of the present day, but one of the best writers in the language. He speaks and thinks plain, broad, downright English'. Hazlitt's Essay on Cobbett, published in 1821.

Among the Society's activities are;

1.OXFORD WEEKEND SEPT 3-5 2010 IN CHRISTCHURCH COLLEGE

This is now open to non- members of the Society.

Members arrive on Friday September 3rd.

On Saturday Sept 4th there will be a RURAL RIDE from Christchurch across the COTSWOLDS following Cobbett's Ride of 1821 from STROUD to ROSSon WYE and the FOREST OF DEAN via GLOUCESTER . Return to OXFORD via the devouring Wen of CHELTENHAM, WITNEY andEYNSHAM. 

There will be READINGS from COBBETT'S WORKSduring the RIDE.

In the evening we shall meet for dinner in the Mckenna Room ( the Christchurch chef is celebrated). This will be followed by a talk and discussion led by DR JOHN STEVENSON, fellow of Worcester College Oxford. Members will leave after breakfast on Sunday, 5 October. 

TOTAL COSTS PER PERSON

Single/Double Standard  £200

Single Ensuite £230 

Twin Ensuite £215  

Contact the Organiser: Frank Thompson. frankbt@talktalk.net  for application form

2. Annual Memorial Lecture .This year the annual Memorial Lecture is by

 Dr James Grande, lecturer in English at St Hugh's College, Oxford  at 

FARNHAM CASTLE, FARNHAM, SURREY, 

on FRIDAY OCTOBER 10 AT 7 PM

EXPLORING COBBETT'S LETTERS from unpublished material.

These include letters written during Cobbett's imprisonment  in  Newgate 1810-12; letters from his exile in America  in 1817 ; letters from two of Cobbett's sons reporting from Paris during the 1830 July Revolution.

tickets £7 from Gloria Dyche 01252 702 449

e mail roots.c@btinternet.com 

3  A day expedition by coach, retracing with readings, routes taken by Cobbett on his Rural Rides.

4 An annual Cobbett walk, visiting the places in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire where Cobbett lived.

5 The publication of a journal, Cobbett's New Register, containing articles on Cobbett's life and times and the text of the Annual Memorial Lecture.

In association with the Society, the Museum of Farnham holds in its Reading Room an almost complete set of the bound volumes of Cobbett's Political Register and a large collection of Cobbett's works and books about Cobbett; and various Cobbett artefacts are on display.

The Society has for sale:

This Happy Land: William Cobbett on America 1794-1835 by Molly Townsend £15 p&p £2.50.
Account of the Family by Anne Cobbett price £4.50 plus p&p £1
The Jolly Farmer? William Cobbett in Hampshire 1804-1820, by Barbara Biddell,price £3 plus p&p £1

The Life of William Cobbett by Himself; a faithful copy, first published by Cobbet in America in 1796, reprinted by Cobbett in 1809, price £4.50 plus p&p £1. A cartoon of Cobbett by James Gillray is included. 

Membership

President: Barbara Biddell

                                                       

Acting Co Chairman and Secretary:

Charles Stuart, 6, Lynch Rd., Farnham, GU9 8BZ tel 01252 722947 e mail: charles.stuart3@talktalk.net

Mrs Gloria Dyche Hankley Wood, Thursley Rd., Elstead GU8 6LW tel 01252 702449

e mail: roots.c@btinternet.com

Treasurer:

Simon Bellord, Flat1, Tetten hall, Woking, Surrey, GU22 7UG 01483 767865

Membership Secretary:

David Chun, 1 Meadow View, Spring Grove, Bursledon, Southampton, SO31 8BB.  02380 403940

Committee member

Stephen Wingent, 1 Gable Cottages, 34 Boundstone Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4TQ. 01252 792838.

Editor Barbara Biddell 3, Park Terrace, Tillington, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9AE tel 01798 342008           

William Cobbett, drawn and engraved by Bartalozzi in 1801

 

                     Membership of the Society is £8 per annum.