My friends we will not go again or ape an ancient rage,
Or stretch the folly of our youth to be the shame of age,
But walk with clearer eyes and ears this path that wandereth,
And see undrugged in evening light the decent inn of death;
For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen,
Before we go to Paradise by way of Kensal Green.”

 

The Rolling Road – GK Chesterton
(1874-1936)

Due to the tube strike this Summer’s PEN party had had to be rescheduled, and so 100 or so members converged on the twilit Dissenters’ Chapel in late September to drink, chat and soak up the atmosphere of this wonderfully restored ecclesiastical treasure.

Though the impending Autumn brought with it quite a nip in the air, spirits were warm and and the evening pleasingly clement. Many members old and new took advantage of Henry Vivian-Neal’s expert tour of the cemetery, which is the final resting place of many famous writers. Darkness later drove the guests into the Chapel itself, and the remainder of the evening was spent in toasting the spirits of writing and writers, both past and present.

Our very fond thanks go to Henry and The Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery for their wonderful hospitality. To learn more about the Dissenters’ Chapel and Kensal Green Cemetery, click here.

PEN Members Trevor Mostyn & Janie Hampton

Report & photos by Tanya Andrews

Originally posted with the url: www.englishpen.org/events/reportsonrecentevents/indiansummerparty2004/