16 July 2009
John Clare experienced mental illness throughout adult life
Britain’s longest distance literary walk recently took place (from 9 to 13 July) to commemorate the life and work of one of the country’s most important 19th century poets, John Clare - and to mark the opening of a new £2.7 million Heritage Centre to celebrate his legacy.
Representatives from The John Clare Trust and Mental Health Foundation walked 80 miles, following “in the spirit of John Clare” the poet’s original epic journey on 20 July 1841; a four day trek from the High Beach asylum in Epping Forest, where Clare was a patient, to Northborough, his home since 1832.
John Clare lived from 1793 to 1864. Known as ‘the Northamptonshire peasant poet’, his poetic genius was the detail and description of every aspect of English rural life, at a time when enclosures were transforming the landscape and sweeping away centuries of traditional custom and labour.
Mental illness
Clare experienced mental illness throughout his adult life, spending two periods in lunatic asylums; the second until his death. In 1989, 125 years after his death Clare was honoured with a plaque in 'Poet's Corner', Westminster Abbey.
Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “I took part in the walk to celebrate and raise awareness of John Clare, a renowned poet who lived with a mental illness during his adult years. More than 200 years from when he was born, mental illness continues to cause suffering to many. While care has vastly improved, stigma and discrimination remains. The Foundation and other charities in the sector are working hard to change this.”
Heritage centre
Clare’s birthplace and family home until 1832 was in Helpston, Northamptonshire which was acquired by The John Clare Trust in November 2007. Working in close partnership with other organisations, including an award of £1.27million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, they successfully raised over £2.7million.
The funds have preserved Clare’s cottage and transformed the site into a heritage centre celebrating both Clare’s life and inspiring visitors to share in his creativity and love of the environment and the English countryside.
The new Centre aims to be a dynamic, educational, visitor attraction, providing a major resource for all those interested in the literary, social, natural, and cultural history of Britain in the early nineteenth century.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information please contact the Mental Health Foundation’s press office on 020 7803 1128 / 1130.
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services. Registered Charity No: (England & Wales) 801130: (Scotland) SC 039714.
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