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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:
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Spring |
AGM and Study Day held at Keele University, Staffordshire.
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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.
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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.
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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 link in the left-hand column.
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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 £10, £8 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 D C Sandrawich, 30 Heathend Road, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST7 2SQ.
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