Winterborne Came and William Barnes

Dorset has William Barnes and many beautiful small churches like that of Winterborne Came. The Revd. William Barnes, who was rector at this church, is buried in the churchyard. The church is mainly 15th century; the screen is 16th century and the pulpit 17th century.

Members of the William Barnes Society will be attending the Annual Service of Remembrance at the (redundant) church on 25th April.

Barnes may never be canonised a Saint, but he should at least be restored to his rightful place in the literary canon of the Western world (and not just in Wessex)!

"Vor I do zee that 'tis our sin
Do meake woon'es soul so dark 'ithin,
When God would gi'e woone zunsheen."


From William Barnes "The Spring".

Winterborne Came, from Dorset History Online