A SOCIETY launched to celebrate the life and works of a Forest poet is hosting its annual memorial lecture this week.

The FW Harvey Society, inaugurated in 2010 in Yorkley in honour of ‘the Laureate of Gloucestershire’, hosts the Melville & Cecil Watts Memorial Lecture on Friday, September 13, at 7.30pm at Viney St Swithins Sports & Social Club in Oldcroft.

Giving the address will be well-known local member and personality Doug McLean talking about his career, the Forest Bookshop and publishing. Entry is free.

It follows another society event last week at St Peter’s Church in Minsterworth, the village where FW Harvey grew up, when some of ‘Will’s’ poems were recited at relevant locations, and there was an opportunity to view the beautiful specially designed FW Harvey window in the church.  

He formed a close friendship with Ivor Gurney, who along with fellow composer Herbert Howells set a number of his poems to music.

The launch of the FW Harvey Society nine years ago was attended by many who remembered Will Harvey when he lived in Yorkley, or admired his works.

Family members who attended the launch included Will’s daughter Eileen Griffiths, granddaughter Elaine Jackson, cousins Melville and Jane Watts, Cecil and Joan Watts, and John and Mary Thurston.