Liphook Community Magazine Summer 2017

A South Downs Alphabet
The South Downs National Park Authority and the Write House,
an independent group of local writers and historians, joined
forces to re-visit poet Eleanor Farjeon’s ‘A Sussex Alphabet’
which was published in 1939. For her delightfully illustrated
anthology, Farjeon created poems highlighting aspects of the
Sussex countryside that she loved so much. Many of us sing the
hymn ‘Morning Has Broken’ without realising that it was Farjeon
who gave us those glorious words.
For the new anthology, entitled ‘A South Downs Alphabet’, U3A
groups and schools in the South Downs area were invited to
submit poems that celebrated some aspect of the area that comprises
the South Downs National Park. On 21st March, World
Book Day, the new book was ‘lauched’ at the SDNP’s headquarters
in Midhurst. Three U3A ladies, Meg Gardner (of Liss), Ruth
Howes and Mari Wallace (both Liphook residents) had their
poems published in the anthology which was produced by the
Snake River Press. Meg’s contribution was ‘Uppark’, thus the
letter U; Ruth’s was on the Cowdray Ruins, selected to represent
the letter R; Mari’s was on the village of Amberley, the letter A.
This past September the BBC aired a TV series called ‘Books that
Made Britain’. In it they featured writers and the regions with
which they were associated. The Sussex programme included an
interview with contemporary novelist Kate Mosse. The last segment
of it focused on the ‘South Downs Alphabet’ project. Meg and
Mari had their five minutes of fame (!) as they read their poems
in the perfect setting of the Weald and Downland Museum.
Here are the poems:
UPPARK
Uppark sits atop the Downs, its history on show
How rich folk lived, their servants too
Many years ago.
Its dolls’ house is Victorian, such a joy to see.
For those who like the little things
In life, like me.
by Meg Gardner
AMBERLEY
An amble round Amberley is what I suggest.
It has so much to offer, so much that’s the best.
A castle so old with its stonework and towers
In summer bedecked with a riot of flowers.
The Wildbrooks when flooded – a glorious sight
Abounding with birdlife, on land and in flight.
Charming thatched cottages – yes, there’s much to admire.
And the church down the lane – it is sure to inspire.
Climb up high on the Downs to relish the view
Then descend to the tea room and refresh with a brew.
Your visit I’m sure will give you much pleasure.
Amberley Village – a real South Downs treasure.
by Mari Wallace
COWDRAY RUINS
Cursed long ago
With threat of fire
One cruel autumn set this home ablaze.
The family fled the scene
Their Tudor mansion
Left open to the skies.
Upon this April evening, in golden light
Skeletal walls are etched against
The perfect clarity of sky.
They speak destruction and survival
In a landscape-tapestry of colour.
Sun strikes silver lightning
Through birch tree branches
Green-gloved chandeliers of mistletoe
Hang in high branches of ancient trees
Rust-coloured sedge grass weaves
A pattern through the marshy foreground
Emerald swathes of new spring grass
Stretch out towards the hills,
Blue-shadowed downland backdrop.
Barn owl’s fawn-feathery flight
Announces twilight
And the mansion’s ruins are on fire again.
Caught in the friendly, glowing rays
Of setting sun
Its old stone walls are blessed.
by Ruth Howes
Mari Wallace
Mari Wallace, Meg Gardner, Ruth Howes.
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