Remembering John Masefield
Ledbury Town Council has received a confirmed National Lottery grant of £220,000 to fund the John Masefield Memorial Project. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the project will explore the legacy of John Masefield through a range of events celebrating his work, his life, and the things that mattered to him. The project will finish with a memorial celebrating John Masefield's 150th anniversary in 2028. The form this memorial takes will be chosen by the community through a series of consultation workshops.
"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by" John Masefield, Sea-Fever
Ledbury’s colourful mix of heritage, community spirit and talent is exemplified in John Masefield, Britain’s celebrated Poet Laureate, who was born here on 1 June 1878. Masefield proved that people from our town can achieve great things! The 150th anniversary of his birth in 2028 provides an opportunity to celebrate his legacy. We plan to create a memorial to him, which will in turn benefit the town for which he cared so deeply.
The story of his life is as relevant today as it ever was – he overcame a series of setbacks to achieve his dream of becoming a writer; he succeeded in an unfamiliar world, and he remained true to himself.
We don’t yet know what form the memorial will take, but we do know what its attributes will be. It will bring people together, it will motivate and inspire and it will build a sense of community. It will also celebrate and preserve Masefield’s legacy and raise awareness of who he was. Fundraising is already underway to support a programme of community engagement.
Ledbury residents from all walks of life will be invited to take part and shape the memorial.
Celebrating a Local Legacy
John Masefield stands out in the long line of Poet Laureates as the sole figure whose roots are deeply entwined with Herefordshire. His birthplace, Ledbury, was more than just a setting—it was a wellspring of inspiration that fueled his poetic genius. Today, Ledbury Town Council is excited to honor Masefield’s enduring impact through a vibrant, heritage driven initiative that pays tribute to one of our town’s most distinguished figures.
Our approach to this project is grounded in the belief that a community truly brings an individual’s legacy to life. By engaging with the collective creativity of Ledbury, we aim to uncover the multifaceted ways Masefield's work resonates with us today.
With this vision in mind, we are launching a dynamic series of engagement sessions. These will involve local residents, creative practitioners, and explorers of Masefield’s literary legacy. Together, we’ll delve into the relevance of his work in our contemporary world, explore the role of creativity in today’s Ledbury, and envision how both can shape our future. This project promises to be a celebration not just of Masefield’s life, but of our community’s creative spirit and shared heritage.
The Box of Delights
"The Box of Delights" by John Masefield is a fantasy adventure story about a young boy named Kay Harker who comes into possession of a magical box with extraordinary powers. The box allows him to travel through time, shrink to a miniature size, and experience various wonders. Kay must protect the box from the evil magician Abner Brown and his gang, who are determined to steal it for their own sinister purposes. Along the way, Kay encounters various fantastical characters and adventures, ultimately leading to a thrilling battle between good and evil.
Ellie Scanlan, Volunteer Coordinator at Creative Pathways in the Shire reading an extract from Masefields classic christmas novel 'The Box of Delights'.
Join Our Team & Work With Us
We aim to engage in meaningful conversations about how his work resonates with Ledbury’s past, present, and future. But to do that, we need to connect with our community.
Whether you’re part of a community group, a collective, or an individual living in Ledbury, we want to hear your ideas and perspectives for this project.
Supporters
Ledbury Town Council has secured £10,000 in funding for the first phase of this initiative. We are committed to collaborating with partners, individuals, and communities who share our vision. As we move forward, we will also be seeking additional funding through grant applications.
If you’re a local business looking to support your community or a partner with a vested interest in John Masefield’s legacy, we encourage you to get in touch at mmpc@ledburytowncouncil.gov.uk.
The Masefield Memorial Project: Meet the Team
The ‘team’ behind the Masefield Memorial project will ultimately be the communities and partners in Ledbury, but to help drive its formative stages we’ve pulled together a working group to get things moving!
The Working Group is made up of key town partners and the John Masefield Society, who are committed to making Masefield’s legacy a long-lasting one. Its formative members include:
- Ledbury Town Council
- The John Masefield Society
- [Representative of] Ledbury Primary School
- [Representative of] John Masefield High School
- Dr Philip W. Errington
- Caroline Magnus (Great Niece, John Masefield)
- Councillor Nick Morris
- [Representative of] Ledbury Civic Society
Of course, these names are just the start and we are already excited to report much interest from potential partners, local businesses, and artists who are eager to get involved.
Get the latest updates
Opportunities to learn more and engage with the latest developments in the Masefield Memorial Project are constantly evolving, so please contact mmpc@ledburytowncouncil.gov.uk for more information.