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September 2011
We began the New Year with the exciting news that a Tolkien Reading Group was about to be launched. in Florence. It was to be held in a local library on a regular basis. We wished them every success.
A Spanish medievalist and translator got in touch because he had discovered that the 'Old English in Middle-earth' study packs that are available on this website are now also available on the Oxford University project Woruldhorde, a major resource devoted to Old English and created by teachers for teachers.
The Education team was kept busy helping out with preparations for Reading Day, which was a great opportunity to celebrate the majestic beauty of trees in Middle-earth, and wherever you find them. And as the trees came early into leaf and blossom, so enquiries and information began to flourish. The Education volunteers heard that Wheaton College in the USA has its own Tolkien Society now, and the Lithuanian Tolkien Society has been in touch.
As spring progressed we had an enquiry from an American academic about finding Tolkien-based tours of the Cotswolds. This revealed a surprising absence of any such tours – surely someone is missing a trick here? Once again it seems that, apart from the great examples of Oxford and Birmingham, the tourism industry in this country shows very little interest in encouraging visitors to experience the locations that were significant in Tolkien's life, and are known to have influenced his work. With the attractions of Moreton-in-Marsh, the Rollright Stones, and other sites of special Tolkien interest so close together, the singular lack of opportunities for 'Tolkien tourism' in England seems astonishing. If you know of particular places where Tolkien enthusiasts are being encouraged please let us know. It would cheer us up no end!
We responded to queries about the bookplate competition, and in an unusual enquiry, we were consulted on the possible authenticity of a ring currently displayed at The Vyne, a National Trust property in Hampshire which, it is claimed, was the inspiration for the One Ring!
We responded to another set of student's questions. There was yet another request for the Old English Study pack. News arrived of a student at UEA doing a PhD on Tolkien, and we were able to pass on some information informally.
Early in the summer the International Medieval Congress at Leeds UK hosted an event which delved into how medieval music informed the works and poetry of Tolkien in 'The Music of Middle Earth'.
A student wanted help to find websites or books to help with analysis of The Hobbit for a presentation. It helps us to focus our answers if we know what exactly the topic is going to be, but to date there are fewer books on The Hobbit than on The Lord of the Rings, so the options are rather restricted. This is perhaps not surprising given the relative lengths of the books, but hopefully we will soon see an increase in interest in Tolkien's first book and all its connections with myth, legend, and early literature.
We are still being contacted by teachers looking for information about obtaining free copies of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It is sad to see the steady stream of requests for free books - a situation that is hardly likely to ease.
One recent enquirer was looking for any expert on Tolkien's library or his love for dictionaries. The enquirer was writing an article on a Galician dictionary Tolkien had in his personal collection. Tolkien's interest in the Spanish language does not receive so much attention as his interest in Finnish and Welsh, but we were glad to note that Valencia hosted the biennial conference on Tolkien's languages this year. In 2 years' time the venue will be Helsinki!
We had a request for answers from an Australian postgraduate who is researching spirituality through fantasy and was interested in the spiritual content and direction of the Tolkien Society website as this reflects the spirituality in Tolkien's work and life. The questions required some thoughtful consideration!
BBC Belfast got in touch about their programme on film adaptations of famous books, in which they were including The Hobbit. And we heard from the author of a new book in Spanish on Tolkien.
It was exciting to see two BBC programmes on Iceland that mentioned Tolkien in the context of both literature and that 'northerness' that he preferred, even though the references were only to his well-known use of Icelandic myths and names, and the influence of the bleak geography of Iceland on perceptions of Middle-earth.
The geography of Iceland wasn't the only source of bleakness! As summer has gone on, here in the Southfarthing at least there has been so little sunshine over the last couple of months that it feels almost a relief now autumn is fast approaching. At least we can remember the start of The Lord of the Rings and enjoy a last flourish of nasturtians! But while the weather has been dismal there have been plenty of interesting and perhaps prescient enquiries to consider.
In addition, we are still offering help to budding poets and writers. This is ongoing, and it is always good to hear from people who are developing their writing, in whatever form. As always, it has been a pleasure to hear from students, teachers and researchers, as well.
Taking the year so far, the interest in Tolkien and his works continues to grow, even without the stimulus of film versions at present.
Lynn Forest-Hill
September 2011
