Join the Wilson’s Tales Project (WTP) this autumn to help celebrate Berwick’s own Bard, John Mackay Wilson. Brand new funding means this year’s annual JM Wilson Memorial Litereary Dinner will expand to be held at the King’s Arms Hotel Assembly Rooms, a venue that has previously hosted Charles Dickens.
Tradition denotes that the menu be based on bacon & beans referencing Wilson’s humorous poem with the same title.
The Project has now secured a £5,200 grant from Destination Tweed’s Community Grants Scheme to support a grand celebration of Wilson’s Tales of the Borders on 2 October, 2024.The WTP focuses on promoting the work of JM Wilson, an editor of the Berwick Advertiser from 1832 until his premature death 2 October, 1835.
‘We are thrilled to continue raising the profile of Wilson and the fabulous Border tales,’ Wilson’s Tales Project Director Andrew Ayre told The Bridge. ‘This grant will enable us to do so in spectacular fashion, particularly with the re-enacted tales at both the Assembly Rooms event and in at Paxton House—two fantastic backdrops for these celebrations.’ Both in October 2024.
In addition to a dinner, the Assembly Rooms event will feature established traditions such as the announcement and reading of the winning entries from the 100-word competition, as well as a newly-commissioned dramatic presentation. Guests will have the opportunity to view a selection of the original tales, including a special display of first editions held at the King’s Arms.
First published in 1834 from Berwick, the Border Tales quickly gained worldwide fame. For over ten years, the Wilson’s Tales Project has been breathing new life into these historic stories. Destination Tweed, a five-year initiative, is focused on creating a 113-mile trail from Moffat to Berwick-upon-Tweed, where the Tweed River meets the sea. This multifaceted project encompasses various cultural, river, and landscape enhancement efforts, including the Community Grants Scheme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and over 30 other funders.
The WTP’s influence extends beyond the dinner. For the past four years, the Wilson’s Tales Project has sponsored an award for new dramatic presentations at Duns Playfest, which has inspired The Borders Pub Theatre Co. to create six short plays based on Wilson’s Tales. These plays will be performed at Paxton House’s Picture Gallery on October 4th in collaboration with the Wilson’s Tales Project.
Further collaboration between Paxton House and the Wilson’s Tales Project will see an educational event celebrating the creativity of tale-writing and honouring Berwick’s forgotten literary hero.
Booking will close on 25th September
https://www.wilsonstales.co.uk/product/2024-literary-dinner/
