A Night of Georgian Elegance and Poetry: Egham Museum's 18th Century Ball Comes to Life

Egham Poetry Hub dazzles at Egham Museum’s Georgian Ball, with original poems inspired by local history, Georgian figures, and Surrey’s iconic landscapes.

From left to right: Stephanie Brant, Jenna F., Adam Gary, Luc Grey (Queer Disagreeable)

On Saturday, January 31st, the past came alive in splendid style as Egham Museum hosted its much-anticipated Georgian Ball. A living history event that transformed the Egham Literary Institute into a glittering 18th-century assembly room. Among the many highlights of the night was a series of powerful and evocative poetry performances from the Egham Poetry Hub, specially commissioned for the event and inspired by the lives, landscapes, and legacies of the Georgian era.

Celebrating Poetry Where History Was Made

The Georgian Ball was more than just a celebration; it was a deep dive into local heritage. Hosted in the very building where balls were held from the late 1770s to the mid-19th century, the event brought together music, dance, games, art, and spoken word. It was a rich tapestry of culture, and the Surrey Poet Laureateship was proud to be part of it.

Poets from the Egham Poetry Hub were invited to write new work based on Georgian life, historical figures, and, fittingly, landscapes, a nod to Egham’s poetic roots. Just a short walk from the Literary Institute lies Coopers Hill, the setting of the first English-language landscape poem by John Denham in 1642. In many ways, the evening brought that legacy full circle.

“Our poets were writing in the shadow of history,” said Adam Gary, Surrey’s Poet Laureate. “Celebrating Surrey’s heritage is a huge part of the Laureateship’s work. It was an honour to take part, and I was so proud of our Egham Hubbers who did such a fabulous job both in their writing and their reading on the night.”

A Living History Experience Like No Other

The ball featured performances of 18th-century dances by The Bath Minuet Company, live music, and opportunities for guests to learn the steps themselves. The audience was treated to a recreation of the Egham Assembly Minuet, restored from an authentic 1780 musical score, as well as a tribute to Ignatius Sancho, a pioneering Black composer and writer of the Georgian period.

Guests mingled in period dress, tried their hand at historical parlour games, and explored exhibitions highlighting inspiring local individuals from the Georgian era. The venue buzzed with the sounds of cards being shuffled, feet learning new dances, and the spoken rhythms of poetry echoing through the rooms.

Adam Gary

The poets of the Egham hub delivered their recitals alongside visual art exhibitions from the Egham Watercolour Society, Royal Holloway Art and Craft Societies, and Runnymede Art Society, creating a multidisciplinary experience that paid homage to creativity across centuries.

A Hub Rooted in History, Growing Every Week

The Egham Poetry Hub meets every Tuesday evening from 6–8pm at the Egham Literary Institute, a venue as steeped in cultural legacy as the work being created within its walls. The hub is open to all, regardless of experience, and offers a welcoming space to write, share, and develop new poetry among like-minded peers.

Saturday’s performance was a culmination of weeks of creative work by Egham Hub participants, showcasing the value of community arts and the magic that happens when local voices meet local history.

The Georgian Ball was part of Egham Museum’s two-year project, Our Museum: Reconnecting Community and Collections, funded by The National Lottery Fund. It was held in collaboration with The Gig at the End of the World, Runnymede Games Society, and a host of local art and history organisations, including the Surrey Poet Laureateship.

Feeling inspired? Join the Egham Poetry Hub every Tuesday from 6–8pm at the Egham Literary Institute. No booking required—just bring your curiosity. To learn more about our Poetry Hubs across Surrey, visit surreypoetlaureateship.org/hubs.

Contact Information

For more on our upcoming performances, workshops, and creative collaborations, follow us @SurreyPoetLaureate or email info@surreypoetlaureateship.org