DL/A-Z//ARV/1 - [Correspondence with the Arvon Foundation 1986-1989]

DL/A-Z//ARV/1

Sub-file

[Correspondence with the Arvon Foundation 1986-1989]

30/01/1986-15/12/1987

5 Letters (typescript and MS)
2 Pamphlets
1 Documents
1 Reports
2 Poem
2 Press cuttings
1 Manuscripts

Hughes, Ted

Arvon Foundation

001 is a letter from Ted Hughes of the Arvon Foundation to Doris Lessing. Hughes alludes to the fact that he and Lessing belong to the Association of Verbal Artists, which – he states – derives from the Arvon Foundation. He introduces the foundation, but warns that it is in financial difficulty. "We're trying to gather a vanguard of sponsors – names well known & widely respected – to catch the eye of preoccupied men." He invites Lessing to join other writers in becoming a sponsor. Mentions Salman Rushdie, Tom Stoppard, Iris Murdoch, William Golding, John Fowles and Graham Green.

002 and 003 are pamphlets advertising the Arvon Foundation.

004 is a letter from Carol Orchard and Hughes to Lessing, bringing her up to date with the Arvon Foundation National Literature Initiative [the Arvon appeal for funding]. Mentions the public launch of the appeal on 29/01/1987, attended by Kenneth Baker.

005 is a document setting out the structure, membership and goals of the Arvon Foundation, and the aims of the Arvon Foundation National Literature Initiative.

006 is a report regarding fundraising efforts of the Arvon Foundation National Literature Initiative Appeal.

007 is a form letter from Hughes to Lessing soliciting submissions for a proposed book for the benefit of the Arvon Foundation National Literature Initiative. Invited authors include the authors mentioned in 001, as well as Douglas Adams, Bryl Bainbridge, Melvyn Bragg, Anthony Burgess, Angela Carter, Charles Causley, Bruce Chatwin, Margaret Drabble, Seamus Heaney, John Le Carre, V.S. Naipaul, Edna O'Brien, Harold Pinter, Stephen Spender and Paul Theroux. Hughes hand writes an anodyne personal note at the bottom.

008 is a letter from Lessing to Hughes, introducing and accompanying submissions [two short stories and two poems] for the proposed book.

009 is the short story "Politics and Alister Warren" by Lessing, photocopied from Pages 10-11 of The Labour Front, September 1945.

010 is the short story "The Twitching Dog" by Lessing, photocopied from Paged 16-17 of N.B., January 1949.

011 is the poem "Wet Night" by Lessing [photocopied twice].

012 is the poem Lobengula (Swing Song) by Lessing [photocopied].

013 is a letter from Hughes to Lessing thanking her for her submissions and asking to use "Twitching Dog" in the proposed book. "Amazing for a 22 year old Doris." He requests an introductory article for the story.

014 is an undated introductory article giving background for the story "Twitching Dog". [quotable] "I am glad to say: I don't believe in keeping failed work, and always tear it up." "The Twitching Dog was based on events I watched unfolding in the house next to ours. Neighbours. What I remember now of them is not much. A small brisk efficient no-nonsense man, and large emotional maternal woman. It was the middle of the war, everything upheaving and changing and swirling about."