This special event will celebrate the 900th anniversary of the Hospital’s founding and its association with the former Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, who lived nearby in Cloth Fair and was himself a patient and a regular visitor to the wards at the Hospital.We will be in the magnificent surroundings of the Great Hall, one of the last events before it closes for major restoration works.

Drinks and canapes will be served from 6.30pm. The Venerable David Meara, former Archdeacon of London and author of A Passion for Places: England through the eyes of John Betjeman, will talk about the poet and his links with the Hospital; some of Betjeman’s best known poems will be read, including one written about Barts while he waited to see his consultant, and there will be a surprise guest or two. Live music will add to the summer evening’s entertainment.

The winners of our 900th Anniversary Poetry Competition will be announced and presented with their prizes and their poems will receive their first public readings. The deadline for entries is 5pm, Monday, 5 June: for further details please pick up a flyer from Barts or click here.

The Governors of the Voluntary Hospital ran the Hospital for 400 years until 1948 when the NHS was created. They now administer certain charitable funds to support both staff and patients.