'Cut grass lies frail...' Recorded last year originally for the Philip Larkin Society's 'Joe Riley Presents' mini-series. A great lyric poem, best enjoyed in young-leafed nature. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here: thesketc…

My guest today is Ian Kerry who is a photographer and Hull enthusiast. And today’s episode is a new direction for me as I take the microphone outside and travel 70 miles up the road from Sheffield to the Hessle Foreshore, sitting on a picnic bench taking in the view of the Humber Bridge. Ian, Gavin and I talk about the construction of the bridge an…

'Higher than the handsomest hotel...' Joe has, through some tricky circumstances, been visiting a particular building and thinks you should wander the corridors with him. If it doesn't come through in this episode: my absolute respect for all NHS staff that keep these buildings going, and especially to the good folk at University Hospital Southampt…

'The mower stalled, twice...' I've been asked to mow the lawn this weekend. Here's a throwback to late spring 2024, when I recorded my first sketch for the Philip Larkin Society. If you are a lover of Larkin, please check out their excellent podcast entitled 'Tiny in all That Air' here. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.so…

'Let faxes butter-curl on dusty shelves...' Joe rings in spring by sitting in a sunny space and reads this wonderful poem for turbulent times. Ros Barber kindly agreed to be interviewed about this poem and the second half is less a sketch and more a portrait of the poet herself, and how this superb poem came into being. Find more of her work here: …

Our guest today is writer Ralph Dartford who works for the National Literacy Trust and is the poetry editor of literary journal Northern Gravy. Ralph kindly made the journey from Bradford to the Lockwood residence in Sheffield, and we settled down in my living room with mugs of tea and a plate of biscuits, surrounded by books and looked down upon b…

'It was not easy to find a poet in the United States in my reading,who wrote with the clarity and intelligence that Larkin possessed. I found him to be full of surprises..’ My guest today is writer David Biespiel who was born in Texas and who is now Poet in residence at Oregan state university. He has written for numerous publications and reviewed …

'I wander thro' each chartered street, near where the chartered Thames does flow And mark in every face I meet, marks of weakness, marks of woe...' Joe heads to the Big Smoke and speaks with John Riordan from the William Blake Society. You can find his work here: https://www.johnriordan.co.uk/ and join the William Blake Society here: https://www.bl…

My guest today is Rishi Dastidar who is a poet and editor based in London. Rishi discusses his own particular view of Larkin’s portrayal of Englishness in both his letters and his poetry, Larkin’s contemporaries such as TS Eliot and Alan Bennett, and the vibrant role poetry plays in the UK’s cultural landscape. Rishi Dastidar’s poetry has been publ…

'Whose woods these are I think I know...' Happy 2025! Get your coat, get your gloves, get your...horse. We're going for a very bracing journey through the wintery landscape of this lovely poem. Audio at the beginning from the Cohen Brothers' neo-Western masterpiece: No Country for Old Men. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky…

'Once upon a midnight dreary...' A bumper Christmas episode. Enjoy during this bleak December! NEVERMORE! *Re-uploaded due to initial sound level issues. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here: [email protected]…

Boo! This story needs no introduction. Once again, I found this recording from 2022 and I wanted to share it. If you want to hear the other Staves then please get in touch with me via email/subscribe. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read…

Reading Larkin’s poetry Eddie Dawes - The Trees (Aug 2022) Graham Chesters- The First Thing (Aug 2021) David Quantick - Days (Aug 22) Imtiaz Dharker - Broadcast (Aug 22) Martin Jennings - High Windows (Aug 24) Nominated by Graham Chesters Hans Rutten introducing and reading An April Sunday Brings the Snow in English and Dutch (Aug 21) Richard Johns…

Not poetry, but I recorded this last year and wanted to share it with you. A spooky tale for the fireside this Christmas by the masterful M.R James. Sceptical Professor Parkins takes a trip to Burnstow to indulge in some research, and play some golf. He finds a mysterious whistle in the ruins of an old preceptory and, foolishly, blows it. From this…

TW: Suicide. The Forest. An original poem by yours truly. Read along with it here. In honour of Movember, Joe shares his bad mental health day as well as a poem about the suicide forests of Mount Fuji. While this poem is dark, the episode is meant to be cathartic--nobody is truly alone in this world. To donate to Joe's Movember page: click here. Fo…

The official trailer for Sketch Poetry. Share far and wide with anyone you think might like the show! Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here: [email protected] Joe

'The steeples are white in the wild moonlight' Do not listen to this late at night. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here: [email protected] Joe

Our guest today is Kate Romano. Kate is the CEO of arts centre Stapleford Granary which recently dedicated a whole weekend to celebrating many different aspects of Philip Larkin’s life, photography, jazz and poetry. Gavin and I were lucky enough to be able to head down there and enjoy the events as well as running a PLS stall in the middle of it al…

'Even now this landscape is assembling.' Joe kicks off spooky season with a little number from Louise Glück. There is a lot of preamble to go with Joe's ambling, so if you want to get straight to the poem skip to 14 mins. This was suggested by the wonderful Jim Moon of the Hypnogoria podcast and I highly recommend you listen to his show here: https…

A recent radio spot Joe had with Hannah Sackville-Bryant from BBC York. They featured my Rossetti episode and I got to talk about the origins of the podcast. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here: [email protected]…

'Do not go gentle into that good night" noswaith dda from Joe as he allows himself a couple of cheeky stouts in the pub, which is fitting considering Dylan Thomas' regular habits (though Joe was in bed by 10, honest). The incredible reading of the poem was done this week by Welsh storyteller and podcaster Owen Staton. You can hear his voice here at…

'Remember me when I am gone away Gone far away into the silent land' Joe takes an early autumn walk and remembers his wonderful father. This episode is a bit emotional, so tread with care but hopefully it brings some solace. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which yo…

'This house has been far out at sea all night' Hold onto your hat, it's a bit breezy. Joe goes for a stroll in the wind and explores this cracker from Ted Hughes. N.B: I dropped my daughter off before I went up the big hill, fear not. **I also gave the wrong email address, see below for the correct one** Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sk…

'A man on his own in a car' This week: Joe braves the A3O on his own, on a bike! Listen to his thoughts on JB's Meditation on the A30. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here: [email protected]…

'They fuck you up, your mum and dad.' Joe (and his daughter) discuss parenting. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here: [email protected] Joe

'Once I am sure there’s nothing going on I step inside, letting the door thud shut.' Join Joe as he alights his bike at St. Nicholas' church in Newnham, Hampshire. Will he find God, or will God find him? Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be r…

'The trees are coming into leaf Like something almost being said' Join Joe as he takes a stroll under some huge trees on his regular dog walk. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poem? Pitch it (and the setting in which you think it could be read) to me here: [email protected]…

'That Whitsun, I was late getting away:' Join Joe on the train to London as he reads Larkin's masterpiece The Whitsun Weddings. Originally heard and published on the Philip Larkin Society Podcast 'Tiny in All That Air'. Check them out if you enjoy all things Toad. Support the show https://bsky.app/profile/sketchpoetry.bsky.social Want to hear a poe…

They might not meant to, but they do... Joe Riley, teacher and poet of no great renown, is a lifelong lover of Larkin. In this series he attempts to read some of Larkin's poems in suitable places with his trusty tape recorder. In this final episode of the summer, Joe heads out with his daughter and reads This Be The Verse. Please note this episode …

Today on the 9th August we celebrate Philip Larkin’s birthday and we read High Windows from start to end, in order to mark the 50th anniversary of Larkin’s final collection. Philip Pullen and Graham Chesters chat to Lyn about High Windows.Please note there is some strong language and challenging themes in the collection. Poems and readers: To the S…

That Whitsun, I was late getting away: Joe Riley, teacher and poet of no great renown, is a lifelong lover of Larkin. In this series he attempts to read some of Larkin's poems in suitable places with his trusty tape recorder. In this episode, Joe takes his seat on the 11.31 to London Waterloo and reads The Whitsun Weddings. Music: Body and Soul by …

Cut grass lies frail... Joe Riley, teacher and poet of no great renown, is a lifelong lover of Larkin. In this series he attempts to read some of Larkin's poems in suitable places with his trusty tape recorder. In this episode, Joe ventures out on his school field to read and discuss Cut Grass from High Windows. Music: Sidney Bechet - Si tu vous ma…

Our guest today is Douglas Bell, Professor of English Language Education at the School of Education, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. Professor Douglas Bell first joined us in April to talk about the 2024 Conference in Hull and kindly stayed on the line to talk to me more widely about Philip Larkin in China. We talk about the reading and tr…

'Once I am sure there's nothing going onI step inside, letting the door thud shut...' Joe Riley, teacher and poet of no great renown, is alifelong lover of Larkin. In this series he attempts to read some of Larkin’s poems in suitable places with his trusty tape recorder. In this episode he explores Church Going from High Windows. Music: Feeling Dro…

Betty Mackereth was Philip Larkin’s secretary at the library at the University of Hull. They were work colleagues and good friends, growing closer and more intimate, as the years went on. Betty turns 100 on 27th June 2024. We begin with Betty herself in conversation with James Booth when James was beginning his research into his biography of Philip…

The trees are coming into leaf Like something almost being said Joe Riley, teacher and poet of no great renown, is alifelong lover of Larkin. In this series he attempts to read some of Larkin’s poems in suitable places with his trusty tape recorder. In this episode he explores The Trees from High Windows Music: In A Mellow Tone by Count Basie Produ…

The mower stalled, twice... Joe Riley, teacher and poet of no great renown, is alifelong lover of Larkin. In this series he attempts to read some of Larkin’s poems in suitable places with his trusty tape recorder. In this episode he explores Larkin’s late poem The Mower. Music: Just a Mood (A Blue Mood) by the Teddy Wilson Quartet Produced by Lyn L…

Writer Ann Thwaite has a long involvement with the society and with Philip Larkin himself. Ann married Anthony Thwaite when they were both young Oxford graduates. Anthony Thwaite brought Larkin’s poems to the BCC and many publications in his work as an editor. Anthony was Larkin’s executor alongside Andrew Motion, and went on to edit Larkin’s lette…

This episode is all about the 2 PLS conference events that took place on 13-15th March 2024 at the University of Hull. Professor Douglas Bell, now back home in the city of Ningbo in China, reflects on visiting Hull City centre and Cottingham for the first time in over 30 years, having graduated from the University of Hull in 1991. Rachael Galletly,…

Today we are joined by our society President, Rosie Millard. Rosie came to Hull as an undergraduate while Larkin was still librarian at the university and she has maintained close links with Hull ever since. She was made Chair of Hull City of Culture 2017 and appointed OBE in the 2018 New Year Honours List for services in the arts to the city of Hu…

Zachary Leader is Emeritus Professor of English Literature at the University of Roehampton. He grew up in California but has lived in Britain for over fifty years and has dual US/UK citizenship. He was educated at Northwestern University, Trinity College, Cambridge, and Harvard and is the biographer of Kingsley Amis and edited the Letters of Kingsl…

The Philip Larkin Society always mark the 2nd ofDecember which is the anniversary of Philip Larkin’s death in 1985. In 2022 we marked the date with the unveiling of a blue plaque in Coventry at Larkin’s birthplace and we held an evening event at Westminster Abbey with poetry readings at the site of his plaque in Poet’s Corner. It felt right to do s…

In this episode we talk to Beverley based poet Chris Sewart in his second appearance on Tiny in All That Air, and Phil Pullen, trustee of the PLS, who regular listeners will be familiar with from a number of previous episodes. We talk about Chris's poetry and his upcoming performance as the 'warm up' for Roger McGough in Beverley next year (details…

This episode was researched and planned by PLS Trustees Julian Henry and Dr Chris Fletcher, Keeper of Special Collections at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Philip Larkin was a librarian for 42 years. He had no formal training when he set off; he chose the career on the spur of the moment as a 21 year old after leaving university, like many students,…

This talk was given to the Philip Larkin Society in 2010 by Emeritus Reader of American History at the University of Hull, John White. John White is the PLS jazz consultant and along with Trevor Tolley, compiled the wonderful ‘Larkin’s Jazz’ 4 disc CD released on Proper Records. This was part of the Larkin25 commemorative events. The talk is a warm…

Philip Larkin was just five years old when Hardy died in 1928, but this English poet and novelist was going to have a profound influence on Larkin’s writing. To discuss some of the connections between Larkin and Hardy, Lyn is joined by Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Hull Jane Thomas and composer Arthur Keegan. Thomas Hardy Novel…

This talk was given to the PLS in 2001 by Winifred Dawson. Winifred was born in London, but educated in Belfast which is where she met Larkin when they were both working at Queen’s University Library. Win also went on to write herself and published a biography of Amy Audrey Locke, a muse for the poet WB Yeats. Win opens with a reflection on Larkin’…

This episode features a writer who would be familiar not only to Hull residents but also to keen telly watchers, radio listeners and theatre goers across the country. Alan Plater was born in Jarrow in 1935 but having moved to Hull when he was just three years old, the city was pleased to adopt him and he lived there for much of his life. His most f…

At the time of recording this podcast we received the sad news that our founding chairman Professor Eddie Dawes had passed away on the 3rd March 2023 at the age of 97. Gavin and I were very privileged to be able to record the very first Tiny podcast with Eddie at his home in Hull. Eddie was so open to new ideas and ways of doing things. He was so s…

Anne Fine gave our Distinguished Guest Lecture at the PLS AGM in 2004 and here we reproduce her talk in its entirety. Anne muses on how she discovered Larkin as a teenager who couldn't resist poems with swear words in, but also how she came to see the connections between Larkin’s poetry and her own life- especially The Trees- as well as her admirat…