City to unveil Philip Larkin statue at station
A festival to celebrate the life and work of Hull poet Philip Larkin has been announced, culminating in the unveiling of a statue in his honour.
A five-month programme of events is planned for next year, ending with the erection of the statue of Larkin at Hull's Paragon Station.
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Philip Larkin
Larkin 25 will be a series of cultural events leading up to the unveiling on December 2, 2010 – the 25th anniversary of his death.
The celebrations will include a community art project, a 'Larkin trail' and exhibitions of Larkin memorabilia including cartoons and photography.
The events could include an exhibition of some of the 2,500 letters written by Larkin to his parents.
The correspondence, which is at points illustrated with doodles and self-portraits, is on permanent loan to the University of Hull by his niece Rosemary Parry.
Graham Chesters, chairman of the Philip Larkin Society and a former University of Hull professor of French, said: "The work of Philip Larkin has never been celebrated in a way that compares to this.
"Larkin chose to make his home in Hull and it is with great pride that we are planning a rich, diverse programme of events guaranteed to inspire and inform."
Mr Chesters added that he believed that culture was key to regeneration and that Larkin 25 could help Hull in its bid to become UK City of Culture 2013.
And Mr Chesters hopes the events will inspire creativity in the city.
He said: "There is so much talent in Hull and we want to give people an opportunity to express that."
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by Hey Chas, don't you do a cockney, routine witha chap called Dave
Saturday, November 07 2009, 7:22PM
“If we erected a statue of a toad, we would be honouring John Prescott”
by Chas, not in hull either
Saturday, November 07 2009, 5:08PM
“i love, hull
Sean O'Brien no longer lives in Hull.
Larkin never stamped a book in his life. He hated Hull & just about everything else. If you want a statue I suggest putting a large toad on a pedestal.”
by Ok Mr. Goebels time to start your, censorship gig
Friday, November 06 2009, 11:25PM
“An ugly old slaphead called Philly.
Used his intellect to exercise his willy
the women he'd fool
on the end of his tool
As a rule they felt rather silly”
by Talent ?don't waste my time this, cretin wasn fit to clean Eliots shoes
Friday, November 06 2009, 11:16PM
“This bard was a bit of muffin the ladies could not get enough in
This fertile myopic
had an eight inch telescopic
and they all had a bloody good stuffin'”
by Me and my ridiculous and un, neccessarily scathing limericks
Friday, November 06 2009, 10:55PM
“Phil is a stonkin. good chap
but his metre and rhythm are crap
His output detritus
he doesn't excite us
he makes us all fancy a nap”
by i love, hull
Friday, November 06 2009, 9:02PM
“I see no problem with honouring Larkin - as has been said elsewhere - he chose to live here!......... but if you want to recognise a truly local poet, how about sean o'brian? thankfully not dead but one to be proud of!”
by EastSideRightSideOfTheRiver, East Hull
Friday, November 06 2009, 8:38PM
“If dear departed Mr.Phil Larkin's statue is worth anything in scrap value. Let him actually do something for the city. Melt him down and scrap him in, give the proceeds to the Hull Boys Sunday League Ph Larkin around on a pitch on Sundays.”
by There's desirable and less, desirable areas everwhere
Friday, November 06 2009, 6:48PM
“I have a number of customers and suppliers in the Netherlands (I'm an international commodity trader) love the people, the laidback approach , and the bicycles. Beverley's a great place, I gig there with my band at the Sun regularly and the crowd are great, Oh and I've never been to Cheltenham, so I guess I must be culturally stunted”
by Kate, Bev (nothing spesh)
Friday, November 06 2009, 6:02PM
“Ah, old wife beater eh?
You should have stuck to the Special Brew.
I don't know where people get the idea that Beverley is anything special. it's ok, but i've lived in many parts of the country and have come to the conclusion, I'd rather live in the Netherlands.”
by I change the name of my post every, time as a result of being plagiarised
Friday, November 06 2009, 5:03PM
“I lived in Beverley when I first got married, it's nothing special. I couldn't get back to kirkella quick enough, progressed to Westella currently domiciled in Ferriby. I suppose I managed to get a rise out of a few people by posting some controversial comments, however there was no cause for the Mail to remove my Limericks, they were hilarious. With regard to Hull City, I've never been to a football match in my life as I believe organised sport brings out the worst in people, also I gaev up Special Brew about twenty years ago, and have been drinking Stella ever since. Regards”