Tolkien Events 2011 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

narfforc · 09-26-2011, 04:26 PM

Yes I think I was....

Bêthberry · 09-26-2011, 08:08 PM

Did Faramir Jones not attend? And no Squatter?

I knew some time ago that I would not be travelling over the pond this year, as hubby had a business conference in Buenos Aires at the same time, which was a one time opportunity. (There'll always be an Oxonmoot . . . ) But I do hope to make RotR. Will you?

narfforc · 09-28-2011, 07:12 AM

I will be at RotR....Faramir was there.

Faramir Jones · 09-29-2011, 05:47 AM

I was at the 'moot, as narfforc correctly said. It was again held in Lady Margaret Hall, and there were fewer people this year. This I expected; because I knew of people, from elsewhere as well as on the Downs, who said that they were preparing, in financial and other ways, for the big conference in Loughborough in 2012.

That said, I enjoyed myself very much. Apart from people I saw at other 'moots, there were some new people, including the Resident Director of the C. S. Lewis Study Centre at The Kilns, a very interesting lady.

Notable talks included one by Bob Blackham, illustrated with slides, about his new book, Tolkien and the Peril of War, which had contemporary illustrations of the places and times relating to the latter's WWI service:

http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/...ril_of_War.php

I found it moving, having a family member who died in that war.

I was also amused to hear, though I knew this already, that the war made the wearing of wristwatches by men socially acceptable! Previously, they tended to be worn by women.

Also very interesting was a talk by Dr. Dimitra Fimi, dealing with making interesting connections between Tolkien and Rudyard Kipling. Her lecture was entitled, 'Kipling, Tolkien and their 'mythology for England': From Puck of Pook's Hill to The Book of Lost Tales', and fitted in well with the talk she gave on fairies at the last 'moot.

I had spent a few days in Oxford before the 'moot began, looking around. One place I went to was the Museum of the History of Science, which had a very interesting exhibition on eccentric scientists and objects associated with them. One was of relevance to Tolkien: an Edison-Bell cylinder phonograph used by academic Joseph Wright (1855-1930) to compose his English Dialect Dictionary (1896-1905):

http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/a-very-speci...ry-phonograph/

Wright was quite an extraordinary individual, rising to the top of his field from very humble origins:

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/archive/...eaming_spires/

He's relevant here; because he was a very important intellectual influence on Tolkien, also being one of the latter's tutors when he was an undergraduate.

How did you find the 'moot, narfforc?

Bêthberry · 09-30-2011, 01:35 PM

Thanks for the report on Oxonmoot,Faramir. It sounds like there was still much of interest despite it being a less--attended moot. And how was your paper received?

There's so much to see in Oxford itself. Perhaps some next moot in Oxford we can organise a Downer trip to the barrows that are near the city.

Faramir Jones · 10-02-2011, 08:04 AM

Thanks for your reply, Bêthberry. Yes, while there weren't as many people at the moot as previously, I had a very good time, and those I saw and talked with also appeared to be having a good time. It was appreciated that the barbecue on Saturday night had better weather than the one last year, for example.

I didn't mention earlier an interesting Australian fan and collector at the 'moot, Fortinbras Proudfoot.

My paper was well received, over 40 people turning up for an early morning slot, which I appreciated. There were, however, some technical problems, my changing of overheads on the computer not happening on the big screen. I had to call on one of the tech people to help a few times. I persisted with the lecture, however, and finished within the time, but with only a little left for questions. Those people who had been there and talked to me afterwards thought it was good; so I was pleased.

I agree with what you said here:

There's so much to see in Oxford itself.

I usually spend a few extra days in the city before the 'moot, so I can look at the sights. That way, I don't need to worry about whether I'm missing something if I leave the relevant college.

Esty and I did meet up on Thursday one year, the day before the 'moot, and had a great time.

Perhaps some next moot in Oxford we can organise a Downer trip to the barrows that are near the city.

That's a nice idea.

Another attendee at the 'moot has put up his account of it on his blog:

http://wotanselvishmusings.blogspot.com/

Mithalwen · 10-02-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Thanks for the report on Oxonmoot,Faramir. It sounds like there was still much of interest despite it being a less--attended moot. And how was your paper received?

There's so much to see in Oxford itself. Perhaps some next moot in Oxford we can organise a Downer trip to the barrows that are near the city.

Which mounds do you mean? The ones by the White Horse at Uffington? I know that people from big countries often have a different idea of near!!!

Bêthberry · 10-03-2011, 11:38 AM

I was thinking of Wayland's Smithy, Mithalwen, which, yes, is near the White Horse and Uffington.

Ancient Britain--Wayland's Smithy

Some of my summer reading about Tolkien mentioned a barrow he could have known in the area. I've forgotten the specific reference but assume this is it, but will tread back to the books to verify.

Is this one of those "had we but space and time enough" pond differences?

09-26-2011, 04:26 PM	#1
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	Yes I think I was.... __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

09-26-2011, 08:08 PM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Did Faramir Jones not attend? And no Squatter? I knew some time ago that I would not be travelling over the pond this year, as hubby had a business conference in Buenos Aires at the same time, which was a one time opportunity. (There'll always be an Oxonmoot . . . ) But I do hope to make RotR. Will you? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

09-28-2011, 07:12 AM	#3
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	I will be at RotR....Faramir was there. __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

09-29-2011, 05:47 AM	#4
Faramir Jones Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lonely Isle Posts: 706	Oxonmoot 2011 I was at the 'moot, as narfforc correctly said. It was again held in Lady Margaret Hall, and there were fewer people this year. This I expected; because I knew of people, from elsewhere as well as on the Downs, who said that they were preparing, in financial and other ways, for the big conference in Loughborough in 2012. That said, I enjoyed myself very much. Apart from people I saw at other 'moots, there were some new people, including the Resident Director of the C. S. Lewis Study Centre at The Kilns, a very interesting lady. Notable talks included one by Bob Blackham, illustrated with slides, about his new book, Tolkien and the Peril of War, which had contemporary illustrations of the places and times relating to the latter's WWI service: http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/...ril_of_War.php I found it moving, having a family member who died in that war. I was also amused to hear, though I knew this already, that the war made the wearing of wristwatches by men socially acceptable! Previously, they tended to be worn by women. Also very interesting was a talk by Dr. Dimitra Fimi, dealing with making interesting connections between Tolkien and Rudyard Kipling. Her lecture was entitled, 'Kipling, Tolkien and their 'mythology for England': From Puck of Pook's Hill to The Book of Lost Tales', and fitted in well with the talk she gave on fairies at the last 'moot. I had spent a few days in Oxford before the 'moot began, looking around. One place I went to was the Museum of the History of Science, which had a very interesting exhibition on eccentric scientists and objects associated with them. One was of relevance to Tolkien: an Edison-Bell cylinder phonograph used by academic Joseph Wright (1855-1930) to compose his English Dialect Dictionary (1896-1905): http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/a-very-speci...ry-phonograph/ Wright was quite an extraordinary individual, rising to the top of his field from very humble origins: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/archive/...eaming_spires/ He's relevant here; because he was a very important intellectual influence on Tolkien, also being one of the latter's tutors when he was an undergraduate. How did you find the 'moot, narfforc? Last edited by Faramir Jones; 09-30-2011 at 06:13 AM.

09-30-2011, 01:35 PM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Thanks for the report on Oxonmoot,Faramir. It sounds like there was still much of interest despite it being a less--attended moot. And how was your paper received? There's so much to see in Oxford itself. Perhaps some next moot in Oxford we can organise a Downer trip to the barrows that are near the city. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

10-02-2011, 08:04 AM	#6
Faramir Jones Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lonely Isle Posts: 706	Thanks and a few things Thanks for your reply, Bêthberry. Yes, while there weren't as many people at the moot as previously, I had a very good time, and those I saw and talked with also appeared to be having a good time. It was appreciated that the barbecue on Saturday night had better weather than the one last year, for example. I didn't mention earlier an interesting Australian fan and collector at the 'moot, Fortinbras Proudfoot. My paper was well received, over 40 people turning up for an early morning slot, which I appreciated. There were, however, some technical problems, my changing of overheads on the computer not happening on the big screen. I had to call on one of the tech people to help a few times. I persisted with the lecture, however, and finished within the time, but with only a little left for questions. Those people who had been there and talked to me afterwards thought it was good; so I was pleased. I agree with what you said here: There's so much to see in Oxford itself. I usually spend a few extra days in the city before the 'moot, so I can look at the sights. That way, I don't need to worry about whether I'm missing something if I leave the relevant college. Esty and I did meet up on Thursday one year, the day before the 'moot, and had a great time. Perhaps some next moot in Oxford we can organise a Downer trip to the barrows that are near the city. That's a nice idea. Another attendee at the 'moot has put up his account of it on his blog: http://wotanselvishmusings.blogspot.com/

10-03-2011, 11:38 AM	#8
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	I was thinking of Wayland's Smithy, Mithalwen, which, yes, is near the White Horse and Uffington. Ancient Britain--Wayland's Smithy Some of my summer reading about Tolkien mentioned a barrow he could have known in the area. I've forgotten the specific reference but assume this is it, but will tread back to the books to verify. Is this one of those "had we but space and time enough" pond differences? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.