Some 350 fans of hobbits, elves and all things Middle Earth are meeting in Oxford next weekend to celebrate the life and works of JRR Tolkien.

Since the fantasy author died in 1973, members of the Tolkien Society have gathered each year in the city where he wrote The Hobbit and its sequel The Lord of the Rings.

This year’s Oxonmoot has special significance as it the society’s 50th and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Oxford don's death. 

Founded in 1969 by Vera Chapman, The Tolkien Society is an educational charity and literary society with the aim of promoting the life and works of the author.

Oxford Mail: Tolkien with wife Edith and grandson Simon

Tolkien himself supported the organisation and gave it his seal of approval by agreeing to become The Tolkien Society's president.

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Following his death his family recommended he stay as honorary president in perpetuity.

The Society has 4,000 members and hosts events up and down the country every week.

Chair Shaun Gunner said: "Tolkien is as popular as ever as we’ve packed out St Anne’s College to have a celebratory weekend like no other.

"People are coming over from five continents to share their love for Tolkien and their passion for his works.

Oxford Mail: Tolkien Society trustee Shaun Gunner, pictured with Oxonmoot chairman Helen Armstrong and society

"Oxonmoot has been going for 50 years and provides an excellent opportunity for hundreds of fans from around the world to come together for a weekend of fun and fellowship in Oxford, a location so important to Tolkien."

The event at St Anne’s College has sold out due to the increasing popularity of Tolkien’s works following the recent publication of The Sunday Times' bestseller The Fall of Númenor and the release of the Amazon TV series The Rings of Power.

Leading Tolkien scholars – including Brian Sibley, editor of The Fall of Númenor, screenwriter of The Lord of the Rings radio series and biographer of director Peter Jackson – will give talks and there will be quizzes, workshops, an art exhibition, a masquerade, a Hobbit bake-off, a party and theatrical performances.

The weekend always concludes with Enyalie, a ceremony of remembrance at Tolkien’s grave in Wolvercote Cemetery.

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In 2020 actors Sir Ian McKellen and Martin Freeman led a £4.5million crowdfunding campaign to try to buy JRR Tolkien's former home at 20 Northmoor Road in north Oxford and turn it into a museum.

Oxford Mail:

However, the campaign failed as it fell short of its target.

Tolkien also lived at 76 Sandfield Road in Headington for 15 years.

The house bears a stone plaque saying: "JRR Tolkien lived here 1953-1968" next to a picture of a dragon and the words "The Hill".

It was recently revealed that the Star of Fëanor that appears in The Lord of the Rings could be depicted in the refurbished brickwork of the Eagle and Child pub where Tolkien wrote the story.

Oxonmoot takes place from Thursday August 31 to Sunday September 3.