The Friends of Arthur Machen grew out of the British Arthur Machen Society, originally formed in the 1980s. The Friends undertakes regular publications, available to all members, has a written constitution, and holds regular meetings which all members may attend if they so wish. Details of elected and appointed committee members can be found here.
Background
Aims & Objectives
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To encourage a wider recognition for Machen's work.
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To foster familiarity with Machen's work, both through 'in house' publications and through acting as a point of information about matters such as the availability of texts and critical work.
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To provide a focus for critical debate.
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To enhance the social lives of members.
Annual Meeting & Dinner
Our gatherings typically take place on the first weekend of March to honour Arthur Machen’s birthday. The 2024 general meeting was held at the historic Baskerville Hall Hotel in Hay-on-Wye. On the Friday evening, Robert Lloyd Parry delighted us with a candle-lit performance of M.R. James’ 'Canon Alberic’s Scrapbook.' The majority of Saturday was spent exploring Hay-on-Wye's many bookshops, before reconvening at the hotel for our annual general meeting, followed by a jovial book auction.
The evening concluded with a sumptuous three-course meal, after which John Probert paid tribute to our late friend and former secretary, Mark Samuels, by reading one of Mark’s own short stories, 'The Man Who Collected Machen'.
In the hotel bar, conversation flowed late into the evening as members from around the world bonded over pints of ‘Butty Bach’, a local real ale. There was even a spot of impromptu midnight stargazing before everyone called it a night.
The historic Victorian venue provided a fitting ambiance for our weekend, especially during the recitals. We will be returning to Baskerville Hall Hotel in March 2025 and hope you can join us.
Publications
Faunus, the literary journal of The Friends, has appeared twice yearly since the inauguration. Contents regularly include both articles of interest to admirers of Machen and examples of his work, often articles and pieces not easily available elsewhere.
Machenalia, our newsletter, also appears twice yearly. It is more informal, less literary in tone and style, dealing with items of topical interest, about Machen, and about The Friends.