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Celebrating Jane

22/7/2017

18 Comments

 
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​Over the years I tried to visit as many places connected to Jane Austen as possible, but for quite some time I stayed away from Winchester, not really wishing to see the place where her journey untimely ended.

I did get over that particular reluctance some ten or twelve years ago and I’m glad I did, Winchester is a glorious place. 
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But I still approached it with the old reluctance on the day of the commemoration (as you might have gathered from my last blog post).

Thankfully I needn’t have worried. I didn’t even need the dark glasses in the cathedral, during the service – except for a minute or so, when Jane Austen’s prayer was read. Despite the solemnity of the event, it was a celebration of her life and legacy. The cathedral was full to capacity, the service was beautiful, heartfelt and warm, and the choice to include one of Jane Austen’s own prayers was a wonderful touch and deeply moving.

​If you’ve read them before you already know – if not, you can easily imagine – that there are no flourishes in them, no wordy embellishments, just the warmth and common sense we find in everything she wrote. Which is probably why her prayer spoke directly to the soul when she gave thanks for all blessings, for “all hours of safety, health and peace, of domestic comfort and innocent enjoyment” and prayed for mercy to all mankind and “the safety and welfare of family and friends, wheresoever dispersed.”

Just as I had hoped, a great number of friends were gathered there, and it was such a great joy to share this moment with them, and then see them again in Chawton on the following day.
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​I only wish other dear friends could have been there too, but I know that even if they couldn’t be there in person a little bit of their heart and soul is always in Chawton.
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​We had all sorts of thoughts for the rest of the day, like stopping in tranquil Steventon where Jane Austen’s earliest novels took shape, and if the house where she began to write First Impressions is no longer standing, at least the church where she worshipped still is.

​​I wish we could go there, and then finish the day with the planned pyjama party and some more Darcy champagne (yes, I had to stock up on that when I first saw it in the shops!)

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But I simply couldn’t turn down the awesome opportunity to appear on BBC Breakfast News on the following morning along with my friend Sophie Andrews, Austen blogger at Laughing with Lizzie and Zack MacLeod Pinsent, the fascinating Regency tailor featured on My Friend Jane. So there we were, Sophie and I, hopping on a train to Manchester at incredibly short notice, so that we could be there, ready and waiting, on the following morning.
 
It was an absolutely surreal experience to arrive in the studios (not quite at the crack of dawn, but close enough), be treated to a session of professional styling and find ourselves on the very famous couch, talking to Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty about how Jane Austen and her world became a way of life for us. 
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If the vast majority of people are incredulous, bemused or amused about our choices and her overwhelming influence on us and what we do, Janeites need no further explanation to understand what makes us tick, because the same great lady hugely influences them too.
 
So, just as most of us have always wished, this isn’t just the year when we commemorate her passing, but a time to remember that her legacy has endured for 200 hundred years, that her work is not merely relevant to us today, but celebrated more than it has ever been, and hopefully it will still be celebrated for many years to come. What she would have made of it all we’ll never know. Maybe she would have also been amused, bemused or incredulous. But I dearly hope she’d also be pleased.
18 Comments
denise
22/7/2017 04:10:50 pm

what lovely remembrances, friends, and a joys of being a Janite! thanks for sharing!

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Joana Starnes
22/7/2017 06:16:35 pm

So glad you liked the post, Denise!
Thanks for stopping by to read it.

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Christina Boyd
22/7/2017 04:21:47 pm

I love this so much! And to have been included in Joana Starnes' photo gallery. I especially love seeing the photos of you on BBC Breakfast News TV. Loved!

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Joana Starnes
22/7/2017 06:19:28 pm

I'm inches away from saying something tacky like to me you're always in my photo gallery, Christina! Even if sometimes we need to use stick people :D But as you said, it worked with Henry Cavill so fingers crossed! Huge thanks and all the best!

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Jami Dragan
22/7/2017 04:31:49 pm

Love all of this! I'm so excited for all the fun exposure you're getting. People need to know of this subculture of awesomeness and of dear Jane and all the dear people she influenced and brought together! She brought such grace, love and humanity and humor into the world. People need more of that in this day and age! I'm hoping people who have never read her will become influenced to do so. My life was forever changed by Jane. :) When people are looking for new fiction, I recommend Pride and Prejudice. It's amazing to me how many people don't know of it. :) And then all of a sudden they've read all her novels and are branching out. Awesome thing. Thrilled for you and even more tickled to meet you. ❤️

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Joana Starnes
22/7/2017 06:21:52 pm

You're so right, Jami!!!! Everyone should know about dear Jane and the magic she created. And should definitely read P&P and hopefully take it from there :)

Can't wait to have a proper chat to you in September!!! Take care and have a lovely weekend.

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Elizabeth Shaw
22/7/2017 04:34:28 pm

Wonderful piece...how I wish I could visit there someday, and meet all of you lovely fellow Janeites!!

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Joana Starnes
22/7/2017 06:23:51 pm

I do hope you visit someday, Elizabeth, it's so nice to be able to meet face to face! All the best and thanks for stopping by to read the post, I'm so glad you liked it.

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Debbie
22/7/2017 04:42:01 pm

So great to hear about what a marveloud experience you had. Thank you so much for sharing.

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Joana Starnes
22/7/2017 06:24:52 pm

With the greatest pleasure! Thank *you* for reading, I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

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Glynis
22/7/2017 07:45:24 pm

Great post Joana and what lovely photos. I just watched My Friend Jane again this afternoon followed by Lucy Worsley and her programme about all the places Jane lived. It's hard to credit that she made so little money from her books especially when of all the authors from the past she is the only one with this type of following which is a tribute to the characters she created and the humour in her stories I think.

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Joana Starnes
23/7/2017 02:43:47 pm

Dear Glynis,
I'm so glad you liked the post and the photos, and that you watched My Friend Jane again! Lucy Worsley's programme was amazing, and it got me in tears at the end, just as it did the first time I watched it a few weeks ago. It's really hard to credit, and also such a shame, that Jane Austen didn't experience this tide of adulation in her lifetime. It might have made her uncomfortable perhaps, but she really should have received the plaudits and the financial recognition for the timeless masterpiece she created.

Many thanks for visiting and all the best,
Joana

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Claudine link
22/7/2017 09:50:31 pm

I LOVE this post youbdear, sweet lady! Every time you talk about Jane Austen, I become teary-eyed!

I love all of the attention you've received because you've brought so much happiness to the JAFF and Jane Austen communities. Hugs, Claudine

And thanks for including me in your post. A piece of my heart will always be in England!

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Joana Starnes
23/7/2017 02:48:30 pm

Dear Claudine

Thanks ever so much for this lovely message and for your wonderful friendship! It was such a joy to meet you face to face at Jane's house. Thank YOU for the happiness your friendship brought me, and for everything you do for the Jane Austen communities.
It's lovely to hear a piece of your heart will always be in England, you show that with everything you do. I hope you'll be able to follow your heart and come back to England soon.
Lots of hugs,
Joana

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Regina Silvia
23/7/2017 06:04:41 pm

Lovely compilation of what was surely a memorable week for all of you!

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Joana Starnes
23/7/2017 10:15:10 pm

The most memorable week in a very long time, Regina Silvia! Thanks for stopping by to read the post, I'm so glad you liked it!

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Linda Beutler link
23/7/2017 07:11:11 pm

Wonderful post. It reminds me I have so many "virtual" Jane Austen friends still to meet in person, and that an annual visit with you is a "must". You are remarkable! Thanks for all your kindness on each visit.

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Joana Starnes
23/7/2017 10:17:15 pm

It's so lovely to see you every time you come over, Linda! I hope you'll be able to come back year after year after year, it's wonderful to catch up! Take care and all the best.

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