Rare first edition presented to the South Downs National Park
March 29, 2018
A rare first edition of Eleanor Farjeon’s A Sussex Alphabet, one of only 202 published in 1939, was presented to the National Park Authority on 22 March as the culmination of an inspiring project called the South Downs Alphabet. The book was generously given by Dr Peter Robinson of The Write House.
The South Downs Alphabet was a partnership venture between the South Downs National Park Authority and The Write House – an independent group of local historians and writers. Conceived by Drs June Goodfield and Peter Robinson, the project took inspiration from writer Eleanor Farjeon and her works that were inspired by the South Downs landscapes.
Twenty-six poems by school children and retired people were published in a new South Downs Alphabet book celebrating the South Downs National Park in verse, thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Snake River Press.
Margaret Paren, Chair of the South Downs National Park Authority said:
“We are delighted to receive this very special first edition of A Sussex Alphabet. As a National Park we want to inspire people of all ages to love the South Downs and to benefit from all that this unique and beautiful landscape has to offer.”
Dr June Goodfield said:
“This Alphabets project has been one of the most enjoyable that I have ever undertaken. It was delightful to work both with South Downs National Park Authority and students of all ages throughout the National Park. One of the most marvellous things about Eleanor Farjeon – our inspiration – is how her poetry moves seamlessly from the pragmatic and every day, to the hilarious and teasing, to the utterly poignant and deeply moving. I would love to have walked with her on the South Downs, and learn what she perceived to be their essential elements that will be here long after we are gone”
Acclaimed children’s writer Dame Jacqueline Wilson said
“I loved reading Eleanor Farjeon’s stories when I was a child, and when I grew up to write children’s books myself I was very proud when I was presented with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in 2004. Eleanor Farjeon had a deep love and knowledge of the South Downs demonstrated in her beautiful book, A Sussex Alphabet. She’s also written a miniature classic Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep. Elsie lives in Glynde under Mount Caburn. The story ends saying we might glimpse the ghost of Elsie skipping on the top of Caburn when the moon is new. Perhaps the ghost of Eleanor Farjeon is there too, skipping beside her.”
Presenter Clare Balding said:
“I love the South Downs and its surrounding area … and I love the idea of inspiring adults and children to think of the landscape that is familiar to them and find words to describe or allow it to spark their imagination in different ways. This was a fabulous project for helping to build a written social history of how people in the 21st century connect to the land and all that it holds.”
The Sussex Alphabet and the South Downs Alphabet are available to purchase from Snake River Press