The Dennison Centre at the University of Hull will be hosting a day of talks and historical reconstructions to commemorate the time spent in 1917 by J.R.R. Tolkien at what was then the Brooklands Military Hospital during World War I.

Tolkien was staying nearby at Thirtle Bridge, Roos, recovering from trench fever, but spent two periods of convalescence at Brooklands. The local landscape inspired the setting for his tale of Berien and Luthien.

The Tolkien Day (free of charge) will be based around the theme of Tolkien and the Great War, and include talks (in the morning) by Michael Flowers and Tom Shippey. There will also be a first aid re-enactment, some projected images of WWI hospitals, a music soundscape, book stall, list of nursing staff at the hospital, and the opportunity to learn some words of elvish.

Light refreshments will be available.

Opening Hours: 10.00-3.30

Cost: free of charge, all welcome

The Dennison Centre is on Cottingham Road, opposite the University of Hull.

Enquiries to Professor Valerie Sanders: V.R.Sanders@hull.ac.uk

Programme

10.10   Welcome to the event and the University of Hull

10.15    Michael Flowers (Tolkien Society): ‘100 Years of Tolkien’s Hemlock Glade’

11.00   Refreshment Break

11.30   Tom Shippey (Professor Emeritus, University of Leeds): ‘Tolkien on Humberside: the end of one world, the start of another’

12.30   Lunch

13.30    Dr Rosemary Wall (University of Hull), ‘Tolkien, Trench Fever, and the Treasure House’

14.00    First World War First Aid Demonstration with current first aid tips

14.45      Jay Johnstone (artist): ‘Tolkien: Not for the faint art’ed’

15.30     Close

Other Activities

1917/2017 First Aid ‘hands on’ activity

Exhibition of Tolkien-inspired art work by Jay Johnstone

Children’s craft and colouring activities

Elvish calligraphy

Book stall

List of Staff working at the Brooklands Hospital during WWI