Image Credit: Maria Messer
Staffordshire County Council is inviting residents to celebrate the county’s links with the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by marking Tolkien Reading Day.
In the run up to the day itself, the county council is launching a twitter campaign urging people to send in ‘elfies’ dressed up as their favourite Tolkien characters.
Launched by The Tolkien Society in 2003, the annual event takes place on 25 March, the date of the Dark Lord Sauron’s fall.
Its aim is to encourage fans to celebrate and promote the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien by reading favourite passages.
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien spent an important period of his early life in Staffordshire, in particular during the Great War when posted to the Army training camps on Cannock Chase.
Staffordshire County Council has been instrumental in the creation of the Staffordshire Tolkien Trail: a series of three linked walks that cover over 30 miles of the Staffordshire countryside over and around Cannock Chase.
The walks rediscover the local landmarks and landscapes that helped to inspire the world famous author. The Great War years were an influential period in the development of Tolkien’s work on the mythology, languages, history and geography of what would become Middle-earth.
Libraries’ Chief County Councillor Ben Adams, said: “It’s clear that Staffordshire had a profound effect on this world famous author’s formative years, and we’re right to feel proud of those links when his worldwide appeal is probably at its highest.
“And Staffordshire’s libraries have a range of Tolkien’s works available to loan for anyone who wants to brush up on their hobbit-lore.
“Penkridge Library, in particular, has done a fantastic job of drawing together the references and history which connect this part of our county to the famous author. Congratulations to the staff and volunteers who have created arguably one of the best library collections celebrating Tolkien’s life and works in the region.”
Hollywood director Peter Jackson wrote to Penkridge Library staff in 2011 saying – “Tolkien’s connections to Staffordshire are well documented, and I am very pleased that you have taken it upon yourselves to join with the community of Tolkien fans around Britain, and the world, to celebrate and educate people in all matters Tolkien”
To find out more about the Cannock Chase walks just enter Staffordshire Tolkien Trail into your search engine.
Penkridge Library will be celebrating Tolkien Reading Day on Saturday 28 March:
- Meet Maggie Bailey from The Tolkien Society, hear her read passages from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books and learn all about The Tolkien Society.
- Display of Tolkien’s poems, written while in Staffordshire. Copies will be available for visitors
- Tolkien Trail treasure hunt for children
- Explore Penkridge Library’s J.R.R. Tolkien stock Collection
- See the fantastic artwork by local artist Hannah Reynolds and the Community produced J.R.R. Tolkien mosaic on display.
- J.R.R. Tolkien in Staffordshire Postcard collection by Hannah Reynolds available for sale – just £2.50 for a set of six original illustrations.
From 10am to 12:30pm, Saturday 28 March, Free, just drop-in!
For further Information please contact Penkridge Library on 01785 712916 or e-mail penkridge.library@staffordshire.gov.uk or find us on Facebook
For more information on Tolkien Reading Day or The Tolkien Society please visit www.tolkiensociety.org
