Celebriel forwards a BBC News report that a statue of Treebeard planned for Birmingham, UK, to be created in honor of J.R.R. Tolkien by his grand-nephew Tim Tolkien, will be moved because road experts are worried it might distract drivers. [More]
Category: J.R.R. Tolkien
Author Henry Gee writes: Dr Dimitra Fimi has been teaching an online Tolkien course at Cardiff University and due to popular demand it will be run again from May 1. This course can be taken by anybody in the world (student or adult learner) and its credits can be used towards a qualification at any other Higher Education and/or Higher Education Lifelong Learning institution in Britain. The website of the course is here.
Ian Collier from The Tolkien Society writes: There are two articles one pro one anti (and the anti is quite anti) and a brief mention of reading day. [More]
But the funniest thing is that the Times’ fiction specialist can’t spell Tolkien’s name right, should the defenders of Tolkein, a Birmingham based childrens’ author, raise an objection? [tolkeinsociety.org]
Vacaville, CA – Hear ye! Hear ye! On April 21-23, 2006, the second annual Middle Earth Festival will come to life in historic Downtown Vacaville to celebrate author J. R. R. Tolkien and “The Lord of the Rings”. This fun-filled family event includes a fun run and forums on the themes of Tolkien. Saturday and Sunday activities include craft and merchandise vendors, entertainment, and games for the kids, demonstrations of old time skills, music, dance, fantasy and abundant food. [More]
Dr. Dimitra Fimi writes: Tolkien Online Course at Cardiff University (open to adult learners) running again in May. Due to popular demand, the online Course on Tolkien hosted by Cardiff University during the Autumn and Spring Semesters (October 2005 and February 2006) will be run again later on this semester starting on 1 May. Both students and adult learners can enrol, and explore the rich background of myth, languages and contemporary ideas of Tolkien’s creative writing. For more information visit the Course’s website. [More]
25th March is Tolkien Reading Day
Tolkien Reading Day is an event to encourage the use of Tolkien’s works in education and library reading groups. Launched in 2003 the reading day event has sparked interest in reading and reading groups across several nations and ages from Primary schoolchildren to University students and library users of all ages. Hence the circulation of this release to the media, educational press and county library services.
Tolkien’s works encompass many themes, and can be used to illustrate or provide assessment subjects for study areas in current school curricula. 25th March has significance to Tolkien’s readers, as it is the day of the Downfall of Sauron at the conclusion of the ‘War of the Ring’ in “The Lord of the Rings.” For children and adults reading together is fun, and stimulates good conversation, vocabulary development, an interest in history and for some an interest in linguistics.
There’s more to Tolkien than “The Lord of the Rings”, schools and reading groups can enjoy the mock-medieval rebellion of “Farmer Giles of Ham” complete with giants and dragons or the radio play “The Homecoming of Beohrtnoth” that looks at the aftermath of a Viking raid.
Have a Tolkien Reading Party or Dinner
Why not have a group of people gather to read aloud? As this year’s Reading Day is a Saturday schools may be closed but libraries, pubs, cafes, youth clubs, restaurants and other places won’t be. Members of the public (and schools wishing to hold an event near to rather than on the 25th) can contact the Society for free posters, bookmarks and help with publicising their event.
Tolkien Reading Day Fun in the East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding Libraries will be running several events to tie in with Tolkien Reading Day. A county wide art competition is being held throughout March with a theme of “The Magic of Middle Earth.” At Hessle library Games Workshop will be holding a games demonstration and running a diorama model competition “Middle Earth in Miniature,” Beverley Library will be hosting a Games Workshop tournament themed around Lord of the Rings while art and modelling workshops will be running at Bridlington and North Bridlington library. There will also be wordsearches, quizzes and displays at several libraries across the region, for more information about events being held by the library service please contact Gemma Williams on 01482-392747 or email her at Gemma.Williams AT eastriding.gov.uk