Bedhampton bench will mark 200 years since Romantic poet John Keats died

Bidbury Mead Friends have been raising funds to create an inscribed seating area which commemorates English poet John Keats, who wrote his famous work The Eve of St Agnes while staying at Bedhampton in January 1819.

Keats returned in September 1820 when the ship he was travelling on was forced by a storm to dock in Portsmouth to do repairs and take on supplies.

Travelling to Italy in the belief the warmer weather would improve his tuberculosis, Keats’ stay would be his last night on English soil as he died in Rome on February 23, 1821 at the age of 25.

To mark the poet’s connection with the area, the Bidbury Mead Friends are planning to create a tranquil seating space to enhance visitors’ experience.

Ron Tate, project manager of the Friends, said: ‘We have been fundraising with a walking tour and a publication and people have given to the Friends so that we can make a permanent record of Keats having come to stay here.’

The coronavirus outbreak has halted development of the seating project, but it is hoped to resume when it is safe for organisers to meet at the site.

Havant Mens’ Shed has developed a prototype for the seating area, and the finished bench will be positioned in the north east corner of Bidbury Mead, under and between two mature trees located near the entrance.

Councillor Alex Rennie, Havant Borough Council cabinet lead for communities, said: ‘I welcome the work being done by Bidbury Mead Friends to commemorate the life of John Keats and the literary contribution he made to this country.

‘As we remember the 200th anniversary of his death I look forward to supporting efforts to ensure there is a lasting legacy to his work here in Bedhampton.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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