A MEMORIAL plaque to the Jesuit priest and major Victorian poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins, will be dedicated at the Leigh church where he was a former curate next week.

Parish Priest at St Joseph's RC Church, the Rev Fr Austin Hughes, has given the North West Catholic History Society permission for the service after noonday Mass on Saturday, June 9.

The plaque will read: "Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ - priest and poet - served this church October-December 1879."

Hopkins, now recognised as a great English poet, was briefly curate at St Joseph's where he wrote "At the Wedding March", following the marriage of the first Mayor of Leigh, John Fairclough.

A brief talk on Hopkins in Leigh will be given by John McDermott, lecturer in English Literature at Birmingham University.

The society has already published John McDermott's Hopkins in Lancashire (£2.50 post free), a selection of Hopkins' writings, and Hopkins' Lancashire (£3.50 post free), a collection of articles about Hopkins, including one on Leigh. The text of the talk at the dedication will be published (£1.50 post free).

Parishioners at St Joseph's, members of the North West History Society, members of the Hopkins Society, members of the Jesuit Order and anyone interested is invited to attend the dedication.

Further information is available from the society secretary, Mr J A Hilton, on 01942 235681, e-mail jahilton@282whelley.fsnet.co.uk or website www.catholic-history.org.uk