Saturday 3 May 2025 saw Southampton transformed into a buzzing hive of bonnets, books, and brilliant minds as literary and history lovers descended upon the MAST Mayflower Studios for Placing Jane: National Figures, Local Context — a day-long conference celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday year. Hosted by the British Association for Local History (BALH), this event offered a delicious mix of scholarship, spectacle and strong tea. And really, what more could one ask from a Saturday?
The Curtain Rises — With Tea, Of Course
The day began at a very civilized 9:45am with arrivals and refreshment, allowing attendees to warm up with coffee, tea, and some pre-event mingling. It was the kind of elegant start that would make even Lady Catherine de Bourgh raise an approving eyebrow.
At 10:15am, BALH Chair Paul Dryburgh took to the stage and officially opened proceedings with a warm welcome, setting the tone for a day that promised to blend academic rigour with Regency charm.
Jane, Geography & Muddy Hemlines
The first session, Literary Landscape, kicked off with ‘Jane Austen & Southampton’ by Dr Cheryl Butler—a powerhouse of Austen scholarship and Southampton’s own Austen whisperer — posing a compelling question: did Southampton inspire Northanger Abbey and Sanditon? With flair and historical insight, Dr Butler drew connections between Austen’s spa-town life and her satirical fiction, giving us a glimpse into the author’s imaginative landscape, as well as introducing us to Dr. Butler’s new book, First Impressions; Jane Austen’s Southampton Circle. The book reflects the potential influence of Jane Austen’s Southampton networks and women who were plantation owners, wealthy East India Company wives, and mothers of errant children.
Dr Gillian Dow followed with a literary journey in Locating Pemberley, The Importance of Place in Jane Austen’s Fiction, an exploration of place, prestige, and pride. Her analysis of how setting defines character and class in Austen’s novels was fascinating.
Then came one of the most unexpectedly delightful talks of the day, Muddy Petticoats and Parasols by Nicola Pritchard-Pink. Uncovering the literal and literary meaning of walking in Austen’s time, Pritchard-Pink reminded us that a good promenade wasn’t just exercise—it was a narrative act. From flirtations to revelations, walking was where plot and propriety collided.
At 12:15pm, it was time for lunch—gratefully received by a room full of minds brimming with Austen matters. Conversations over sandwiches ranged from diary-keeping habits, to which of Jane’s heroines would most enjoy a gin and tonic. (Our table voted for Elizabeth Bennet, obviously.)
Lights, Camera, Austen!
The post-lunch session, Jane Austen Dramatised, was a theatrical delight. Back on stage, Dr Cheryl Butler explored Southampton’s Nighttime Economy, giving us a rollicking account of the French Street Theatre and the eccentric Fitzhugh family. Imagine Restoration comedy meets Austen’s sensibility—with just a dash of scandal.
Jo Willetts then brought Sarah Siddons to vivid life in Dramatising Jane. Siddons, Austen’s favourite actress, was the Meryl Streep of her time, and Willetts — a BAFTA and Emmy-winning producer herself — revealed how celebrity, drama and female agency were tightly wound even in the 18th century.
Next came the magnetic Angela Barlow, who shared Jane Austen And Characters: An Actor’s View. Drawing from her own acting career and her chapter in Jane Austen and the Arts, Barlow explored what it takes to bring Emma or Anne Elliot from page to performance. It was theatrical theory with heart — and a few wry impressions to boot.
Ink-Stained Secrets and Pocket Diaries
After a restorative break, the final session — Letters, Journals, Household Books and Diaries — delved into the daily minutiae that bring Austen’s world alive.
Dr Cheryl Butler opened with a tour through the MAD letters (not quite madness, but deliciously entertaining!), the Austen Family Household Book, and the Royal Engagements Pocket Diary. These tantalising artefacts offer glimpses into the Austen family’s routines and romantic hopes.
Holly Day followed with a deep dive into the world of ladies’ pocket diaries in Keeping Ladies Pocket Diaries in the age of Austen. With a PhD in eighteenth-century life-writing, Day illuminated how these humble books were repositories of gossip, memory, and self-fashioning. Who knew that so much mischief could be scribbled in so little space?
Finally, Dr John McAleer transported us beyond England’s green hills to the globe-trotting adventures of William Ridding in Southampton and the Wider World. From naval exploits to global trade, McAleer reminded us that Southampton wasn’t just Austen’s playground — it was a bustling port that connected the novelist to the wider empire.
A Very Respectable Finish
At 4:45pm, Paul Dryburgh returned to wrap up the event with thanks, reflections and a gentle encouragement to keep exploring Austen’s world. But the day wasn’t quite over…
From 5pm – 6pm, guests had the rare opportunity to attend a private viewing of A Very Respectable Company at the SeaCity Museum. This treasure trove of rarely seen artefacts — including items from descendants’ family archives — offered a final, intimate connection to Jane and her extended network. If ever there were a time to clutch your reticule and whisper, “how delightful!”, this was it.
And on Sunday… More Bonnets, Please!
For those who wisely turned their Jane-themed day into a Jane-themed weekend, Sunday 4th May offered more Regency reverie with The Sarah Siddons Fan Club costumed guided walks.
The morning walk, “NB There will be very few Dates in this History”, took visitors around Old Southampton, complete with witty historical commentary, gossip and a speculative peek into where one might have found Mr Darcy taking tea (answer: anywhere with a good cravat and a scandal.).
The afternoon Trafalgar Days Walk added a naval twist. Lead by the Marchioness and Marquis of Lansdowne (himself a keen sailor), stories connected Jane’s brother, Frank Austen, with tales of Admirals and St Michael’s Church and included some eyebrow-raising stories of beef burgers, gambling, press gangs and punishment at sea. We then met Admiral Frank Austen, who concluded the walk inside St Michael’s, pointing out memorials and regaling us with naval stories
A Place for Every Jane-ite
Placing Jane was more than just a conference — it was a celebration of place, personhood, and the power of local history. From scholarly talks to theatrical tales, diary peeks to costumed walks, this weekend placed Jane Austen right back where she belongs: not on a dusty pedestal, but living, laughing and walking briskly through the heart of Southampton.
I managed to meet up with Dr Cheryl Butler a couple of days later for a pot of tea and a small plate of Georgian Fancies. I asked her how she felt the weekend had gone. This was her reply.
“When organising an event, you often don’t get to enjoy it, as you are dealing with the logistics of the day. Having lots of help from members of the Sarah Siddons Fan Club Theatre in supporting the information desk, helping with book sales and generally helping everything to run smoothly, meant that even I could enjoy what was a terrific bunch of speakers. I could happily listen to them all again.
What was important in organising the event was to raise the profile of the story of Austen in Southampton; there is so much which is neglected and misleading in many books, documentaries and dramatic reconstructions of her life. Often the town is presented as some seedy backwater, where the novelist was utterly miserable, when, at the time, it was a very fashionable watering place and spa, attracting everyone from Royalty downward. Jane herself, when offered the option of living in Canterbury or Southampton, chose the latter. In her letters she reflects on her happiness and memories of her previous visits to the town before she became a resident. She was working creatively on Emma and was keen to retrieve the novel that became Northanger Abbey to pursue its publication. She danced, made visits, went to the theatre and observed her friends and neighbours, all the while finding inspiration for her characters. It was wonderful that many people joined the sell-out tours, went out and explored the town and, with the readings, heard in the words of Jane and her contemporaries what Southampton had to offer. With a programme of events continuing until December, I would hope that, after this anniversary year, Southampton’s place in Jane’s story will be better understood”.
If you missed the weekend of events, don’t despair! Much like Jane’s novels, the spirit of Placing Jane lives on — in conversation, in history and in every carefully-folded petticoat. Jane Austen 250, a celebration of all things Austen, continues all year long in Southampton.
Author: Sean Attwood
Bio: Sean is a member of The Sarah Siddons Fan Club Theatre in Southampton and is retired after running a very successful Café Bar in Southampton and working at sea with Cunard. Sean has always had a keen interest in history and a lifelong enjoyment of acting; The Sarah Siddons Fan Club allows Sean to marry them both together. He enjoys researching the character he is to portray. Sean, his husband Jack and their Chorkie Brandy, enjoy spending time in the great outdoors as well as gardening and entertaining.