Fascinating folk
April 2023
Writing and literature
Vera Brittain is best known for her World War I memoir, Testament of Youth. She was also a poet, war nurse, novelist and founder member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Brittain was born in Newcastle and returned to visit at the outbreak of War:
“I sat in a tree-shadowed walk called the Brampton and meditated on the War. It was one of those shimmering autumn days when every leaf and flower seemed to scintillate with light, and I found it very hard to believe that not far away men were being slain ruthlessly.”
A bronze statue inspired by Brittain sits in Brampton Park today.
Newcastle has many other fascinating literary connections. Including popular Victorian novelist Dinah Maria Craik, who was schooled in the Brampton. Newcastle also features as ‘the fine and ancient Tory borough of Oldcastle’ in Arnold Bennett’s famous Five Towns novels.
What's on
Fascinating folk of Newcastle film show: Vera Britain
Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 0QP
Thursday 20 April 2023 - 2:00pm to 3:15pm
A special archive film show from Ray Johnson about Vera Brittain.
Book tickets
Fascinating Folk of Newcastle talk: Vera Brittain
Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 0QP
Thursday 27 April 2023 - 2:00pm to 3:15pm
A special talk by Barbara Andrew about Vera Brittain.