News and Events

Note: Keep up-to-date with all the latest George Borrow news and gossip by visiting our Facebook page!

Book Group

Our online Book Group meets once a month via Zoom for lively discussions of Borrow's works. Over the last couple of years we have worked our way through The Bible in Spain and Wild Wales, and have even looked briefly at Borrow's first book, The Zincali.

We are now planning to read our way slowly, a few chapters at a time, through the whole of Lavengro and The Romany Rye, with our first session starting on Monday 24th September 2026.

We welcome new participants, but please note that you must be a GBS member to take part in the Book Group online sessions. For further information please email peteransell@hotmail.com. The Book Group online sessions are normally on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:30pm UK time.

For more information and zoom link, click here for the Book Group Members Update Page 

2026 George Borrow Conference - Norwich Revisited

The George Borrow Conference took place this year in Norwich from Wednesday 29th April to Friday 1st May.

The theme for this conference was the influence of Norwich and Norfolk on George Borrow, and featured visits to places in Norwich associated with Borrow including the castle and Mousehold Heath. There were also guest speakers covering subjects as diverse as the Norwich School of Painting and the Image of the Gypsy in Literature. 

For an account of the conference please see the latest Newsletter.

The ALS (Association of Literary Societies) Annual Conference

This took place from Friday 22nd May to Sunday 24th May. It was hosted by the Edward Thomas Fellowship at Bedales School near Petersfield in Hampshire. As Edward Thomas was the author of ‘George Borrow: The Man and His Books’ (1912), this was a particularly interesting conference for Borrovians. Note: As the George Borrow Society is a member of the ALS, all of our members are entitled to attend ALS conferences free of charge. 

Wreath-Laying

On Saturday 25th July 2026 we will commemorate the 145th anniversary of George Borrow’s death in the traditional way by laying a wreath on his grave in Brompton Cemetery, London. GB Society members are all welcome to attend and to then enjoy a light lunch at the North Lodge Cafe. Some members may like to bring a passage to read aloud at the graveside. For further details please email Trish Gurney at patriciagurney@outlook.com

Annual General Meeting

The 2026 AGM of the George Borrow Society will take place online on Saturday 3rd October 2026. All members are welcome to attend. Please email Ian Davis at ian.davis1607@icloud.com if there are any items that you would like to see on the agenda.

Christmas Online Party

After the success of this event in 2025 , we are planning a similar event on Saturday 5th December 2026. Please save the date and email Pete Ansell at peteransell@hotmail.com if you have any ideas for games or activities, or would like to read something from George Borrow’s works.