The poet Edward Thomas was killed in action at Arras on 9 April 1917. He had lived in Steep near Petersfield so, on March 17th as part of the Petersfield Musical Festival, there was a centenary concert with readings and settings of his poems given by many distinguished performers. The concert included ‘Like the Touch of Rain’ – one of my cycle of Thomas settings, ’The Unknown Bird’, for baritone, flute, viola and harp.
