A Celebration of Samuel Taylor Coleridge in Highgate

A Celebration of Samuel Taylor Coleridge in Highgate

St Michael's Church in Highgate are arranging a very special day’s celebration of the life of Coleridge in Literature and the Church on 2nd June 2018 from 10am-4.00pm. It will commemorate his translation from his original resting place into the Church in 1961. The organisers at St Michael's very much hope that as many of the Friends of Coleridge as possible will be able to attend.

The day will comprise presentations in St Michael’s Church by Seamus Perry, professor of English at Oxford University and one of the Friends of Coleridge patrons, and Malcolm Guite, who recently published a fascinating book about Coleridge’s religious life and its parallels within 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. Malcolm spoke memorably at the Halsway weekend last year.

There will be readings and a short service with original music, ands a unique chance to visit the Coleridge family crypt, which is in urgent need of repair and refurbishment. St Michael's is planning to raise funds to achieve this work. Members of the Coleridge family will be in attendance.

Highgate crypt

Photo: The wine cellar behind which the Coleridge coffins rest

There will also be a tour of Highgate, taking in various key places including, of course, the Institute with its excellent library.

Lunch will be available at the Church.

With your help and support we will be able to help preserve Samuel Taylor Coleridge's extraordinary legacy, both to this church, Highgate village, and the world beyond.

Tickets for the event can be booked at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3378086


Schedule for the day

Saturday June 2, 2018

10.00-10.20 am
Arrival, coffee, registration

10.20-10.25 am
Welcome from the Rev Kunle Ayodeji, Vicar of St Michael's

10.25-10.30
Welcome from a member of the Coleridge family/Friends of Coleridge

10.00-10.35
Welcome from Justin Shepherd, Chairman of the Friends of Coleridge

10.35-11.15
Plenary 1, Introduced by a member of the Friends of Coleridge

Talk: A Life in the church, by Malcolm Guite, Chaplain, Girton College Cambridge
Author: 'Mariner: A Voyage with Samuel Taylor Coleridge', Hodder 2017

11.15-11.30
Coffee

11.30-12.30
Service, The Revd Kunle Ayodeji

Followed by Lance Pearson giving a performance of Coleridge's poetry, a performance of STC-related music, and a recital of Coleridge's works by Ian Enters of The Friends of Coleridge

12.30-1.30
Lunch

1.30-1.50
Reflections of the Coleridge family by a Coleridge family member

1.50-2.30
Plenary 2, Introduced by Professor Leonee Ormondne

Ta;k: A Life in Highgate, by Seamus Perry, Professor of English Literature, University of Oxford, Fellow of Balliol College, Fellow Librarian, and Fellow for Charity Matters.

2.30-4.00
Tour of Highgate, to include a visit to the St Michael's Crypt, to the Coleridge Room; Highgate Scientific and Literary Society; 3, The Grove; Moreton House, South Grove; Highgate School Chapel crypt, where the Coleridges were first interred

4.00
Reassemble at St Michael's for coffee and departure

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