Events
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Betjeman & Larkin: a joint event with the Philip Larkin Society in Leicester as part of the Larkin centenary celebrations.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet Philip Larkin and the Philip Larkin Society are joining with us to help celebrate the event among many other activities being organised by the Philip Larkin Society. Larkin was a Librarian at the University of Leicester, before moving to the Brynmor Jones Library at the University of Hull. Larkin’s time at Leicester is marked by his association with Monica Jones, an English Literature lecturer at the University of Leicester, and subject of a recent book about the relationship published in 2020. The event, held in a convenient venue in central Leicester close to the station, will be supported by The Shires Branch of The Betjeman Society and the main speakers will be Dr John Florance, President of The Shires Branch and who has made Larkin one of his authors to lecture about in his own lecture series in Newark, Dr Philip Pullen of the Philip Larkin Society and Dr Tim Hancock, Lecturer in English at Ulster University, author of recently published John Betjeman: Making Light. In addition to the three talks there will be the chance to have some readings too, plenty of time to mingle and chat, with refreshments on arrival and a hot buffet lunch included.
John Florance’s talk will be ‘The quickest way to start a punch-up’. Introducing Betjeman’s work to American readers, Larkin wrote: “The quickest way to start a punch-up between two British literary critics is to ask them what they think about the poems of Sir John Betjeman.” This talk will bring out what Larkin admired and celebrated in the older poet’s work, the nature of their friendship and the differences between the men and their work. By way of introduction there will be a short section on Larkin’s Leicester.
Philip Pullen’s talk will be ‘A coming together of sorts’ : Betjeman and Larkin’s collaborative adventures.
Tim Hancock’s talk will be ‘Larkin’s suppressed Betjeman period’ (Provisional title) about Betjeman’s influence on Larkin’s formative years.
Also, we intend to show the BBC Monitor TV programme with Betjeman & Larkin (by permission of the BBC).
For details of how to book please scroll to the bottom of the page.
Many events are organised by the Council of the Betjeman Society: to book a place for these events please use the booking form that is sent out with the Society Newsletter or choose one of the following options::
– By cheque payable to the ‘Betjeman Society’ and sent to:Betjeman Society Events, 38 Lapsley Drive, Banbury, OX16 1EW enclosing a SAE.
– By bank transfer to The Betjeman Society Sort Code 40-43-26 (HSBC) and Account Number 62338521. Pay the total amount required for your ticket/s and give as a reference your surname and the event date. Please email events@betjemansociety.com to advise your booking details.
– By cash on arrival but please email as above so we know to expect you.
– If you have a Paypal account or intend to open one then please use it quoting email address ‘betjsoc@gmail.com’