The Cathedral is proud to host the first Ronald Blythe lecture in memory of Suffolk’s famous poet. Rowan Williams will speak at the first of what will become an annual lecture in honour of Ronald Blythe. Each year the lecture will be devoted to poetry and the power of the spoken word, to music and the arts, celebrating their unique ability to be an interpreter of human life, love and faith.
Ronald Blythe was a renowned British writer, essayist, and poet, best known for his book “Akenfield” (1969), which provides a vivid account of rural life in Suffolk from the early 20th century to the Ronnie had a deep connection to the English countryside, which greatly influenced his work. Ronald Blythe’s literary career was marked by his long-running column, “Word from Wormingford,” in the Church Times, where he shared reflections on rural life and nature.
In addition to “Akenfield,” Ronnie was the author of numerous books and essays, often exploring themes of nature, history, and the changing landscape of rural England. He passed away on January 14, 2023, at the age of 100. Rowan Williams, himself a prolific and well-known poet, will celebrate Ronnie’s life and work and speak of the power of poetry to connect us with the natural world, people and places, our spirituality and our innermost selves
