How grateful one is ... John Betjeman & SPAB, Online Lecture

Event details

14:00 - 15:00, Friday 26th June 2020

John Betjeman described himself as a “poet and a hack”. He was the nation's teddy-bear and a devotee of unfashionable causes. Grottos, Victorian railway stations, the Metroland and churches were amongst the threatened icons of English culture that Betjeman sought to save. 

Betjeman was a life-long supporter of the SPAB. He helped with monumentally important campaigns when he was in his early-twenties, becoming a life-member of the Society aged just 25. He sat on the SPAB Committee from 1952 until his death in 1984.

In this lecture, Rachel Morley will take a look back over Betjeman's involvement with SPAB, highlighting his most influential conservation campaigning work and considering his legacy.

Rachel Morley is the Director of the Friends of Friendless Churches. She is a Trustee of the SPAB and the Chair of the Society's Advocacy Committee. She has been on the judging panel for the John Betjeman Award since 2015, and is an assessor for the Architects Accredited in Building Conservation.

IT requirements: Please note that this is an online session and will be held via a webinar platform called CrowdCast. You will be sent instructions on how to join the session when you book. To participate, all you need is an internet connection, and a laptop, computer or phone with the ability to play video and audio. On android mobiles/tablets, sessions can be accessed via either Chrome for Android or Firefox for Android. Apple mobile/tablet users will need to download the CrowdCast app. 

Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: please contact the SPAB before booking to discuss any special access requirements.