Published: May 19, 2025
Nearly 70 people attended the Samuel Taylor Coleridge in Porlock weekend, held in the village at the end of March. The event was organised by Porlock Parish Council and local volunteers in association with the Friends of Coleridge.
About half the attendees were from Somerset, with the rest travelling from other parts of the UK to attend the event.
The aim was to bring people to Porlock providing a boost for the local economy out of season, as well as enhancing the cultural life of the area. The whole event was held in the village with attendees staying in B&Bs and eating at local pubs and cafes.
Cllr Sue McCanlis said: “Thanks to the support of local people and the Friends of Coleridge, the event paid for itself through ticket sales, while bringing activity into the village. What’s more, it was enormous fun and we had great feedback from those who attended.”
The weekend began with a welcome evening in the village hall. Porlock actor Jen Warwick enchanted the audience with her performance of three of Coleridge’s poems: ‘Kubla Khan’, ‘Frost at Midnight’ and ‘This Lime Tree Bower My Prison’, which were written in Somerset when the poet lived in Nether Stowey.
There then followed a walk along the coast path from Ash Farm to Broomstreet Farm, following the route that Coleridge would have taken when he visited the area and stopped at one of the remote farmhouses to write his mysterious poem ‘Kubla Khan’.
On the Friday evening, cultural historian and author Diana Barsham, who lives in Nether Stowey, gave a fascinating talk in the village hall about Coleridge’s influence on Margaret Drabble.
On Saturday morning the group met in the solar at Dovery Manor Museum where Prof. Gregory Leadbetter, chair of the Friends of Coleridge, led a vibrant discussion on the enigma of Kubla Khan. Museum volunteers provided tea, coffee and some excellent cakes that were much enjoyed by everyone.
In the afternoon, more than 30 people attended a walk from Porlock village along the marsh to the Weir. In the evening, many enjoyed a convivial meal together at the Top Ship.
For the final talk on Sunday morning, Prof. Tim Fulford spoke movingly in the village hall about ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ and survivor’s guilt, or PTSD.
The weekend closed with a delicious Sunday lunch at The Lorna Doone.
Sara Hudston and Sue McCanlis