J B Priestley’s English Journey
English Journey – a free lecture
Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tuesday 27 October, 6 – 7.30pm
JB Priestley’s classic book English Journey will be the subject of a free lecture at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum.
The event will be hosted by Professor John Tomaney of Newcastle University, who will discuss how the North East chapters of the book relate to Tyneside today. Guest speakers will include the author’s son, Tom Priestley.
Graham Bradshaw, curator of Discovery Museum, says:
“English Journey describes the author’s travels throughout England and, at the time of its publication in 1934, it was an instant best-seller. It was hailed not only for its descriptions of both the beauty and poverty which Priestly encountered on his travels, but also for its honest depiction of a country in the grip of an economic recession.”
The book celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and has been re-issued as a special 75th anniversary edition, which for the first time has been restored to its full length.
Contributors to the 75th anniversary edition include Jarrow-born playwright Alan Plater and novelist Dame Beryl Bainbridge.
The event at Discovery Museum will focus on the North East chapters of the book, during which the author visits Newcastle, Gateshead, North Shields, South Shields, Jarrow, Durham and Sunderland. Professor Tomaney, who is part of the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS) at Newcastle University, will explore the author’s experiences in a historical context and will also discuss how they compare the with the same regions today.
The lecture is free but places will need to be booked in advance by calling Janette Murphy on (0191) 277 2307 or by emailing janette.murphy@twmuseums.org.uk
For more information on English Journey visit the website at www.greatnorthernbooks.co.uk.
