The 25th Annual Raymond Williams residential   at stunning Wortley Hall
8 May - 10 May 2013 only £95.00
Our Theme :   Democracy – and the Future of Political Parties

FOR FULL PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME AND SESSION NOTES click

This special anniversary mid-week residential will follow the pattern of successful discussion-based  events at Wortley Hall, 2011 and 2012 and The Adelphi, Liverpool,  November 2012 (but with WHall  accommodation and organisational strengths!).   
There will be three features connecting back with the 23 year weekends run at the Wedgwood Memorial  College Barlaston –
 i)  A key-note Wednesday evening  lecture on the title theme, given by Chad Goodwin,  Chair of Thomas Paine Society,  long-time WEA tutor and RWF Trustee.

ii)  The Thursday evening plenary session:   RW – his relevance today and tomorrow....   This will include several BBC TV film extracts, and testimonies with readings selected from submissions by participants and RWF/RWS members.

iii) There will be opportunity to see, review and discuss a draft illustrated booklet on the 25 year record of RW residentials with memories and notes, for example, on key-note lecturers and participants:   eg Christopher Hill, Graham Martin, Joy Williams, Stuart Hall, Raphael Samuel, Terry Eagleton, Anthony Barnett, Roy Hattersley, Merryn Williams etc...

Themes for discussion in small groups may include:    Democracy and Representative (from RW's classic Keywords; Direct democracy in Ancient Greece; The future of party politics and Parliament;  GDH Cole - participatory democracy: Tolstoy, Chomsky and the anarchist tradition;   Avaaz & 38 Degrees;  Re-viewing Borgen;   Scotland - independence  and devolution issues;  The Volunteers,   RW's 1978 novel (most recent edition, 2011) – his early critique of parliamentary politics:  'the game is over...'   (nb.  those selecting session/s  on this novel will need to read it in advance!)     Other sessions will be based on RW's Politics and Letters (1979)  "...a remarkable portrait of one of the most original thinkers in the West" – advance reading of these 437 pages useful but not essential because notes and stimuli (accessible on the RWF website) will be provided in due course for all discussion sessions.

The RWF AGM will take place on the Thursday afternoon.   There will be a free-time session for all – to explore the wonderful grounds and gardens, or whatever...

The special fee, subsidized by educational charities:   £95 pp, includes en suite bedroom, all meals, refreshments and sessions.     Non-residents welcome - pro rata fee,  ask for details.
Deposit:    £30, with balance payable three weeks in advance.

Any queries or further information -  
phone 01538 370067         or e-mail:   info@raymondwilliamsfoundation.org.uk    

Fees payable on-line with Paypal - go to payment page

and by post go to booking form

W/end organised by Raymond Williams Foundation