November 15, 2022

Tom Poole the Somerset Tanner

In honour of Tom Poole to celebrate his 256th birthday Monday 14th November 2022 . A short essay with photos from the day which took place in front of his house with the Sheriff of Somerset unveiling a plaque to recognise his wonderful philanthropy and friendships  

Poem by the current owner of his home Diana Barsham who recited it on the day on the doorstep of the house

Birthday poem for Tom Poole

They say, Tom Poole, you never lost a friend in all your life.

All those of us who know this house, know that is true

For never was there place

So warm, so welcoming, so much like you –

A man with loyal feeling for the past

But keen enquiry for the coming new.

Straight-forward, plain, and practical to see

Yet full of light and hidden depth

And rare, befriending generosity.

This was a house where books and learning mixed

With evil-smelling tannery pits

The stench of animal skin, of oak-bark stripped

Filled all your mind with fiery politics:

A mind “intense and frugal, apt for all affairs”

Yet paved with poetry and edged with lime-tree bowers.

In your deep heart, Tom Poole, a revolution stirred:

Like tannin’s brew, it spoke the language of a better world.

The poets came and went, the inspired men

Of science too: a new song formed,

A modern balladry where humble folk and mariners

With trees and hills and streams and hedgerow birds

Told magic moonlit tales in simple words.

For Coleridge you were a coat against the cold,

A steady ground to earth his mind’s wild spark:

As brother, father, mother, friend

You were the anchor of his wandering bark.

A muse for Wordsworth, from your likeness took

His shepherd Michael, that great masterpiece

Of love and loss.  From you he drew

The tender heart’s most manly epitaph.

And so, Tom Poole, if you were with us now

You would, I hope, be pleased – and proud –

To see enamelled on this plaque

What you achieved and how your life is valued still:

For everything you did for Stowey’s good

We give you thanks. In Cottage, House and Library,

In Savings Bank and Women’s Walk, your name stands ever tall:

And so God bless you, dear old Tom,

And happy birthday from us all.

Diana Barsham, November 14, 2022

Michael Redwood

Leather chemist, writer, and advisor on responsible leather manufacturing and material strategy.