Midlands Branch

The Jane Austen Society Midlands Branch was established in 1990, the inaugural meeting taking place at Keele University on 21 April of that year. The original impulse was due to interest in the novelist's associations with Staffordshire and Warwickshire. In 1806, Jane Austen, her mother and sister travelled to Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire, to visit Edward Cooper, Mrs Austen's nephew, visiting Leigh relatives at Adlestrop en route. This coincided with the death of the Hon. Mary Leigh of Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. Mrs Austen's cousin, the Reverend Thomas Leigh, expected to succeed her. He invited his Austen cousins to accompany him to Stoneleigh Abbey on their way to Hamstall. Elements of Jane Austen's experience on this northern tour can be traced in her novels.

Events

The Society has four annual events, two scholarly and two more social gatherings:

Spring

AGM and Study Day.

Summer

Strawberry Tea. This event is held in a local, or fairly local, stately home of the Georgian, or pre-Georgian era. For example, we have visited Stoneleigh Abbey, Lyme Park, Weston Park and many others.

Autumn

Our autumn meetings alternate between a study tour to places with Austen connections, and a study weekend or day 'at home'. Our tours have taken us to Kent, Sidmouth, Portsmouth and Bath.

Winter

Jane Austen Birthday Dinner, held in December. Again, we try to hold this event in 'period' hotels or restaurants, and we use recipes adapted from the Georgian era.

Further details for the current year via the Midlands Events link in the left-hand column.

Publications

Every year we publish Transactions, which contains the papers delivered at our study days, articles submitted on aspects of Jane Austen and her world, and reports of our various activities.

Lovers' Vows has been published by the Branch, and Newsletters advertising events are sent to all members.

Membership

Membership of the Branch is not confined to the Midlands - we have members from as far afield as Hampshire and North Wales. Annual membership fee is £12, (£10 for unwaged). This entitles members to a copy of Transactions and various Newsletters during the year.

For details, please apply to the membership secretary, Mr C D Sandrawich, 30 Heathend Road, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST7 2SQ, or via e-mail at midlands@jasoc.org.uk. You may access forms for joining the Society using these links:

Membership Application Form Standing Order Form Gift Aid Form

Please send them with any payment to the Membership Secretary.