The Lickeys inspired Tolkien's fantasies; LETTER.

TWO recent letters mentioning Tolkien's days at Fern Cottage, Rednal, prompt me to add that, whilst it seems accepted that he was inspired to write his books at Sarehole Mill, a large portion of the Hobbit route is centred on the Lickey Hills.

I lived at Fern Cottage 32 years ago. My late mother loved to visit a magical 'glade' sited near Cardinal Newman's burial site, Rivendale, in the garden at the back. This led to a desire to research Tolkien which revealed that he walked via the Lickeys to Barnt Green station to catch the train to Birmingham. A born 'Rednal-ite', I recognised many of the scenes depicted in the Hobbit as those relating to his route to the train - the blacksmith next door to the cottage; the trees blowing all around his home; the river running by the Tea Rooms; the Rose & Crown where Strider was met; the large Beeches of Milkwood situated at the top of Rose Hill; the climb up a cliff-like sandstone hill where he could well have met Gollum; Bittell reservoir and the final stretch to the train which breathed fire and smoke - could this be the Dragon? Tolkien's brother often met him at the station. They would have spent time exploring the Lickey Hills. Thus fact provides inspiration for fantasies. In later years he frequently visited the Oratory summer home next door and even spent many of his courting years walking the hills. Finally, enter the lookout at the top of Beacon hill and you will not only see the Two Towers but you will survey the vast view across the Malverns to the land of Mordor in the distance - Tolkien country if ever there was.

Roy Edwards, by email

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Publication:	Birmingham Mail (England)
Date:	Dec 26, 2012
Words:	287
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