Hilaire Belloc bought King's Land (in Shipley, Sussex), 5 acres and a working windmill for £1000 in 1907 and it was his home for the rest of his life. Belloc loved Sussex as few other writers have loved her: he lived there for most of his 83 years, he tramped the length and breadth of the county, slept under her hedgerows, drank in her inns, sailed her coast and her rivers and wrote several incomparable books about her. "He does not die that can bequeath Some influence to the land he knows, Or dares, persistent, interwreath Love permanent with the wild hedgerows; He does not die, but still remains Substantiate with his darling plains."

Search This Blog

Saturday 22 June 2013

High Mass for Hilaire Belloc - July 20th....



This is advance notice of a Mass which will be celebrated for the repose of the soul of Hilaire Belloc at the parish church of Our Lady of Consolation at 12 PM (on Saturday the 20th of July). This year is the 60th anniversary of his death. The sermon will be preached by Father John Emerson, who is the superior of the Fraternity of Saint Peter in Scotland. The chief celebrant will be Father Matthew Goddard, who is the son of the Rector of the church (which has a very interesting history).

After the High Mass there will be a absolution at Belloc's grave (in the churchyard). This will be followed by a French military trumpet piece (which Belloc would have been familiar with during his time in the French Army).  We will then picnic and be treated to a small talk by the veteran Bellocian Blaise Compton. Thereafter, there will be poetry and a siesta. In the evening we hope to have folk music at the George and Dragon which is not far away. All said and done, even if there is no music, some of us will be retreating there later in the afternoon.

There will be a mini-bus leaving Clapham, in London, at 9.30 sharp. Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis. Those of you who are desirous of availing of this transport opportunity are invited to e-mail the blog administrator: thehilairebellocblog@gmail.com

If there are any servers out there we are a little bit short at the moment.

Finally, if you are coming, don't forget to bring your picnic!

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/552848911423089/