Middle-earth in 2012

The Middle-earth weekend in and around Sarehole Mill and the childhood haunts of JRR Tolkien was a great success and was also an enormous credit to the volunteers involved, particularly the two principals, whose tireless efforts and hard labour enabled this unique event to take place.

'Tireless' is a heavily overused word in certain contexts today but it really does apply in this case - 24/7 availability (admittedly another cliche, but also true here). 'Hard labour' means bent backs and rolled up sleeves when needed rather than when convenient.

There was also a cheerful willingness to pick up tasks that others had not done and resolving, through patient and time consuming management, the extensive list of issues that arise in the long run-up to an original event of this scale in society today. All this and all the while showing inspirational leadership and commitment and much else besides - all on a voluntary basis.

There is a true family atmosphere at MEWE - amongst the volunteers, the performers and exhibitors and the thousands of families who come along and who were exemplary. The Middle-earth weekend is a very special event packed with interest, nearly all of it free so that the modern idol of money does not prevent anyone from coming - and of course with good old fashioned values aplenty.

As with many cultural organisations, the volunteers get older and fewer each year and to have delivered MEWE and its predecessors on no fewer than thirteen occasions is a superb achievement in which great pride can be taken.