Cambridge

The Cambridge Branch was formed on the 11th of November 1997, when five Austen enthusiasts met to launch the group. We have had three illustrious patrons, the first being Baroness James, better known as the author P.D. James, followed by the Austen biographer, Claire Tomalin, and at present the Austen scholar, Janet Todd.

Madingley Hall, the location of the Birthday Lunch

Jane Austen may not have visited Cambridge, but she had many cousins and acquaintances who had attended the university. A former undergraduate and fellow of Queens’ College Cambridge that Austen knew very well was John Papillon, the rector of Chawton. The Reverend Samuel Blackall, who had at one time showed an interest in Jane Austen, was also educated at Cambridge.

The Cambridge Branch hosts an event in most months of the year. These include talks, dramatised readings of Austen’s books, an annual Strawberry Tea, an annual Birthday lunch, theatre visits and trips to Austen-linked places such as the Cowper Museum, 8, College Street Winchester and the Gatehouse School at Reading. The Birthday Lunch takes place at the beautiful Madingley Hall.

Our annual subscriptions are £20 per person or £30 for two people living at the same address. The majority of our events are free to attend with guests paying £5.00 to take part. Most of our meetings are also on Zoom as we have members across the UK and also abroad amongst our 58 members. The dramatised readings are filmed and can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

We publish one newsletter per year which includes transcripts from talks, reports on our many events and other articles of interest to our members.

For any additional information about the Branch, or to apply for membership, please contact our Secretary:

Margaret Seale
E-mail: janeaustencambridgegroup@gmail.com