Dear Readers:  You might recall a post from several months ago [March 2012] alerting all to the impending closure of the twitten [called the “Library Passage”] in Worthing – a place associated with Jane Austen as she visited there in 1805 for several months – and it is very likely one of the main sources for the setting of her seaside spa in Sanditon.  See these two posts for more information:

https://janeausteninvermont.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/the-library-passage-in-worthing-under-threat-of-closure-how-you-can-help/

and in this post by Christopher Sandrawich on the JAS Midlands Branch tour of Worthing and environs:

https://janeausteninvermont.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/in-search-of-jane-austen-guest-post-a-tour-of-worthing-by-chris-sandrawich/

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I have just heard from Janet Clarke who had spearheaded the effort to thwart the closure in hopes that the site with its literary connection would have some sway with the powers that be.  Well, sad to report, safety issues have won out over historical significance, and even the many voices of Austen fans did little to move the decision-makers.

One good bit of news from Janet however:  Stagecoach (the bus company who owns the building and wants to close the passage for safety reasons) has “agreed to make special provision for Austen fans to walk the route, provided they receive  reasonable notice.”

So, take note and if you perchance have Worthing on your itinerary [and you must!], then please take Stagecoach up on their offer – I am hoping that they will provide TEA as well – the least they could do, don’t you think?

Library Passage – Worthing

c2012 Jane Austen in Vermont