The Year Clock is a play that delves deep into the themes of language, speech, and human communication. It focuses on the life and legacy of William Barnes, a self-educated Dorset teacher and parson who lived from 1801 to 1886. Barnes is widely known for his poetry written in the Dorset dialect, with his most famous piece being Linden Lea, which was later immortalised in music by Ralph Vaughan Williams. However, Barnes himself regarded his work in philology – his study of over sixty languages and his search for the root of all speech – as his most significant achievement, particularly his Philological Grammar.
Thomas Hardy, Barnes’ contemporary and long-time friend, once described him as “the most interesting link between the past and present forms of rural life that England possessed.” Likewise, Francis Kilvert, who visited Barnes at his rectory in Winterborne Came in 1874, called him “the great idyllic poet of England, half hermit, half enchanter.” These observations capture the deep connection Barnes had to England’s rural traditions while also recognising the profound changes happening in society during his lifetime.
Written by Tim Laycock in 2001, The Year Clock brings this complex and intriguing figure to life, utilising notes, anecdotes, newspaper reports, and personal letters either written by or about Barnes during his lifetime. The structure of the play mirrors the four seasons, symbolising key stages in Barnes’ life. The poems and songs woven into the performance were written between 1835 and 1870, with the exception of the final piece, The Geate a-Vallen To, dictated to his daughter shortly before his death in 1886.
The play explores the inner tensions of a highly educated man who chose to write in the rural dialect of Dorset. By doing so, it highlights the contrast between the rapid industrialisation and progress of Victorian England and a traditional way of life that was slowly disappearing—a theme with striking relevance today. Accompanied by Dorset folk music, performed on the violin and guitar by Colin Thompson, the performance is a vivid, fast-paced portrayal of Barnes’ world, offering a poignant reflection on the forces of change.
Directed by Sonia Ritter, The Year Clock is a revival that connects the past with the present, and it has been performed over 70 times to date and could not have been written without the William Barnes Archive.
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Preserving the Legacy: The 'Barnes for All!' Campaign
This performance of The Year Clock is not only a tribute to William Barnes but also part of the ongoing effort to preserve his legacy through the ‘Barnes for All!’ fundraising campaign. When Barnes passed away in 1886, he left behind a vast and invaluable collection of writings, including poems, sermons, posters from his lectures, woodcuts, engravings, and other archival materials. This remarkable archive offers a window into the life and times of Victorian Dorchester and the Dorset poet’s intellectual and creative world.
The collection, now owned by the Dorset Museum and Art Gallery, was lovingly cared for by the William Barnes Society for many years. The paper archive is currently housed at the Dorset History Centre, and a unique opportunity has arisen to make it more accessible to the public.
The goal of the ‘Barnes for All!’ project is to catalogue every item in the archive to internationally recognized standards and to digitize the most significant documents. Once digitised, this collection will be available online, allowing people from around the world to explore the life and works of William Barnes in greater detail. Scholars, enthusiasts, and anyone with an interest in Barnes’ life as a schoolmaster, priest, poet, and philologist will be able to access this treasure trove of materials from anywhere in the world.
The William Barnes Society, in partnership with the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery and the Dorset History Centre, aims to raise £35,000 to make this work possible. Every penny raised through events like this performance of The Year Clock will go towards ensuring that the legacy of William Barnes remains accessible to future generations.
This project is a chance to unlock new insights into a fascinating figure, whose work continues to resonate with themes of language, place, and the tension between progress and tradition. By contributing to this campaign, we honour not just the poet himself, but also the rich cultural heritage of rural England that he so lovingly preserved.
All proceeds from this year’s events, after expenses, will be donated to the William Barnes Archive, allowing us to continue to share his work with the world.
For more information and how to donate visit https://williambarnessociety.org.uk/appeal
