The Centre for North-West Regional Studies Lancaster University, in conjunction with The Norman Nicholson Society, are hosting a one-day conference entitled Cultural Landscapes - The Poetry and Prose of Norman Nicholson The event will be held Wednesday 13 June 2007 at Lane Farm, Crooklands.

This special one-day conference has been organised to mark the twentieth anniversary of the death of Norman Nicholson (1914-87), focusing, in particular, on the Cumbrian writer's interest in landscape and environment, place and space.

The seven speakers will each focus on a different aspect of Nicholson's work, highlighting both the breadth and depth of his thinking and writing.

The conference will close with a short talk by the author, Irvine Hunt, who is also Norman Nicholson's Literary Executor. Irvine will offer a more personal reflection on Nicholson's work and its continuing significance.

Speakers include Grevel Lindop, poet and freelance writer author of A Literary Guide to the Lake District; Neil Curry, poet and critic; Stella Halkyard, The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester; David Cooper, Department of English and Creative Writing, Lancaster University; Ian Brodie, an active campaigner for landscape and access; Professor Ian Whyte, Department of Geography, Lancaster University; and Denys Vaughan, student of Landscape History.

The conference is open to anyone who wishes to attend, including people from the cultural and literary world, professionals in the field as well as interested members of the public. A conference fee will be charged to cover costs. The fee includes a buffet lunch prepared locally by Choice Caterers and based on the very best local produce, as well as the usual morning and afternoon refreshments.

For a full programme and booking form visit http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/cnwrs/events.html or contact Christine Wilkinson Tel: 01524 593770; email: christine.wilkinson@lancaster.ac.uk