To Orwell Today,

Dear Jackie,

I have just come across your web site about George Orwell.

I am Churchwarden of the Church in Wallington where George was married. We are obviously very proud of our connection with George Orwell, and Animal Farm.

Next year [2011] we are hoping to host a George Orwell weekend, with Cream Teas in the Great Barn, all in aid of the Church. We were wondering if you would be interested in attending, and maybe have some contacts who would be interested in this.

We are also holding a barn dance in the Great Barn in September [2010].

Hoping we can be of assistance to each other,
Marty Wilson

Greetings Marty,

Understandably you are very proud to be connected to the late great George Orwell in such an intimate way as the Church where he was married and the village where he lived in the home he loved.

I'll never forget my wonderful day spent there visiting ORWELL'S WALLLINGTON HOUSE and ORWELL'S WEDDING CHURCH & ORWELL'S ANIMAL FARM.

I live in Canada - thousands of miles away as the Canada Goose flies - but the reasons for my returning to England are piling up daily - and attending your George Orwell event would be something I'd love to do and conceivably it could happen.

A previous reader sent news that they are planning a 2011 event in Letchworth -- not far from you in Wallington -- in celebration of Orwell's life. Perhaps you could attend their event and they could attend yours.

In the meantime, it would be fun to see photos of the barn dance in the Great Barn in September - which is coming up very soon. That would be an appetizer promoting the Cream Tea event coming up next year during the George Orwell Weekend for the Church.

All the best,
Jackie Jura

...John is arranging a celebration in Letchworth in 2011 on Eric Blair's life, his thinking and writing