The traditional Samuel Johnson Birthday celebrations will be taking place in Lichfield during the weekend of 21st - 23rd September.

At 12 noon on Saturday 22nd September, in the Market Square, there will be the  usual Civic wreath-laying ceremony. The Cathedral Girls’ Choir will sing Johnson’s Last Prayer and lead communal hymn singing. Instrumental support will be provided by young Musicians from local secondary schools.

In the evening, the annual Birthday Supper takes place in the Guildhall. In addition, at the Birthplace Museum, there will be two performances (6.30 pm and 8.00 pm) of Out of the Shadows, a new play about Francis Barber, Johnson’s black manservant.

The regular Sunday morning 10.30 am service will be attended by officers and members of the Johnson Society when their new President, Prof. Lynda Mugglestone, will lay a wreath on the memorial in the South Transept Chapel. The ‘Johnson Sermon’ will be preached by the Dean.

Anyone interested may attend the ‘Penance commemoration’ in Uttoxeter, at 11.00 am on Monday 24th September in the Market Square in Uttoxeter.