The Philip Larkin Society is deeply saddened by the death of Betty Mackereth at the age of 101.
Betty was Philip Larkin’s long term secretary, immortalised in the 1962 poem, ‘Toads Revisited’. She was a great friend and supporter of the Society.
We send our condolences to her family.
The 2026 Philip Larkin Society Conference -Call For Papers
Our next conference will be held at the University of Hull from 19-20th March 2026 and will celebrate the eightieth Anniversary of the publication of Larkin’s first novel, Jill (1946). We are delighted to announced that poet Ros Barber will be joining us as the first of two
keynote speakers.
It is 1946 and Larkin has, in September, been appointed Assistant Librarian at University
College of Leicester. There, he first meets Monica Jones. In the following month, Jill is
published with The Fortune Press. The Second World War ended a year prior, and the welfare
state is in full swing, and with it, crucial legislation on education has been passed. This year
we celebrate the 80th anniversary of Jill.
Building on the successful programme of our 2022 and 2024 conferences, we will present a
range of approaches to Larkin’s work with contributors from across the arts and academic
landscape. We do not wish to confine this conference to academic research and though this is
very welcomed, we invite presenters to respond to Larkin’s work in a variety of ways. This
might include seminars, music, or the performing arts. We are an inclusive society and would
like to encourage submissions from people of all backgrounds and approaches. We are also
looking for ways to actively support and promote undergraduate and postgraduate
involvement.
Contributors are not expected to confine their approaches to Jill. We would be interested too
in broader presentations that explore Larkin’s two published novels as well as his
comparatively vast body of poetry, letters, journalism. Submissions on Larkin’s early poetry,
poems written “[a]t an age when self-importance would have been normal”, are also
encouraged. This might include a focus on Larkin the novelist, on the novels produced by his
contemporaries (John Wain, Kingsley Amis, John Braine etc.), the opportunity to use Jill as a
starting point for a discussion of Larkin’s work, or indeed wider social issues that the novel
touches on.
Currently the proposed format is 4 panels over two days, each consisting of 3×20 minute papers and
symposia/discussion forums, alongside the keynote speakers and performances. Speakers are
welcome to speak for longer than the allotted 20 minutes, but must specify their reason for
wishing to do so.
Proposals (up to 300 words) should be submitted to
philiplarkinsocietyconference@gmail.com by 1st December, 2025. For academic or research
based queries, please contact Daniel Vince (PLS Trustee) at d.d.vince63@gmail.com. For
non-academic or creative enquiries, travel, funding and accommodation, please email Lyn
Lockwood (Deputy Chair of the PLS) at lynlockwood70@yahoo.co.uk
Booking details and Early Bird registration prices are now available via this link.
In addition to our twice yearly journal About Larkin, the Society publishes a regular newsletter dedicated to all things Larkin. Members and those signed up via the website receive a copy via email.
Previous Issues
Beverley Art Gallery’s latest exhibition contains more than a nod towards Philip Larkin. Curated by Dr Geradine Mulcahy-Parker, the exhibition offers a fascinating retrospective of Remfrey’s work, tracking his artistic journey from his formative years in Hull in the 1960s to international success in New York. Remfrey studied at Hull College of Art and became close friends with Jean and George Hartley, who published Larkin’s first major poetry collection, The Less Deceived. In 1975 Remfrey approached Philip Larkin and asked him to sit for him. Larkin refused the invitation in typical fashion: ‘I suppose it is, as I say, flattering, but by now I am above vanity where my face is concerned. I have to be.’
Display cabinet containing Remfrey’s signed copy of The Less Deceived and a letter from Larkin declining the invitation to sit for Remfrey.
Jean Hartley’s signed copy of Philip Larkin, the Marvell Press and Me
The exhibition utilises the Art Gallery’s beautiful White Gallery to very good effect, embracing the space perfectly to display Remfry’s renowned large-scale drawings of dancers and friends and neighbours at the Chelsea Hotel alongside smaller charcoal sketches and drawings, including a rare surviving notebook from his art college years and two portraits of Quentin Crisp.
There will be an ‘In Conversation’ with David Remfrey and Sarah Victoria Turner, Director of the Paul Mellon Centre for Research in British Art. on Thursday 19th June.
The exhibition continues until 21st June. For full details click here.
The Philip Larkin Society is delighted to announce the appointment of its latest Honorary Vice President. Professor John Haffenden is a distinguished scholar and writer and Emeritus Professor of English Literature at the University of Sheffield. Initially appointed in 1975, he was made reader in 1988 and promoted to a personal chair in 1994. Since 2009 he has been general editor of the letters of T.S. Eliot.
A great admirer of the work of Philip Larkin, Larkin enthusiasts will be familiar with his famous interview of Philip Larkin conducted in 1981 and published in Thwaite (ed) Philip Larkin: Further Requirements, in 2001 .
Every year the PLS holds a members only event on 2nd December to mark Larkin’s death at the age of 63 in 1985. These events have taken many different forms over the years but we always try to find a way to celebrate his work and to bring members of the society together to do so. This year we held the event online via Zoom for the first time which meant we were able to welcome members from across the country and from the US. Our special guest was Dave Lee (top left) who is a Hull based film maker. Dave played the films he has made of three Larkin poems, each of which narrated is by Sir Tom Courtenay, distinguished actor (Billy Liar, Dr Zhivago, Little Dorrit and many more), Hull native and PLS Honorary Vice President. The films feature ‘Here’, ‘Bridge for The Living’ and ‘This Be The Verse’ and are wonderfully evocative.
Dave talked us through some of the many fascinating stories around the filming, production and interpretation of the poems. It was a great evening. If you would like to see the films they are available on Dave’s You-Tube channel
A recording of the event is now available on the PLS You-Tube channel.
Thank you to Phil and Graham for presenting, thank you to Dave to being such a fabulous guest, and thank you all the PLS members who joined us.
Nick Cave, writer and musician, has done the Society the honour of accepting its invitation to join our distinguished and varied list of Honorary Vice Presidents.
In 2019, he was asked what his favourite poem was. Larkin’s ‘The Mower’, came the answer. There are deep and tragic reasons behind this choice which are partly explained in one of his Red Hand files (click here to read the whole text).
Larkin is a recurrent touchstone in Nick’s extensive literary references. And, in one of his most famous songs, ‘There she goes, my Beautiful World’, Larkin is named alongside Karl Marx, Gauguin and Dylan Thomas in an exquisitely crafted stanza as writers and artists beset by obstacles to creativity ( being ‘stuck in a library in Hull’ for Larkin).
Nick is a lover of poetry: ‘I have always read a lot of poetry. It’s part of my job as a songwriter. I try to read, at the very least, a half-hour of poetry a day, before I begin to do my own writing. It jimmies open the imagination, making the mind more receptive to metaphor and abstraction and serves as a bridge from the reasoned mind to a stranger state of alertness, in case that precious idea decides to drop by.’ Larkin is on his bookshelf, ready to help with his limbering up.
Nick accepted our invitation whilst warning that he ‘doesn’t consider himself an expert on Larkin’ and denies any ‘great knowledge or insight’. We beg to differ. Love of his poetry and constant engagement with it is a supreme qualification for an HVP and carries with it a particular, dazzling charge.
We are very grateful that Nick has agreed to lend his name to help our charitable cause of promoting knowledge and appreciation of Larkin’s work.
Did you know that Larkin was a great present buyer? Contrary to popular belief, he was often the first person to organise gifts for his colleagues at the Brynmor Jones Library. The PLS has a fantastic range of Christmas cards, prints, bags, books and quirky stocking fillers that would be perfect for any poetry fan. All money raised from purchases goes towards our charitable aim to promote the understanding and appreciation of the work of Larkin and his contemporaries.
Click here to purchase from our online shop.
Over the weekend of 13-15th September visitors to Stapleford Granary near Cambridge were treated to a wonderful combination of Larkin inspired events featuring poetry, talks, music and theatre against the backdrop of a retrospective exhibition of Larkin’s photographs initially put together as part of the 2010 Larkin25 celebrations.
Stapleford Granary is a thriving community arts centre a few miles south of Cambridge in a gorgeous rural setting, with a beautifully appointed interior, including an excellent café and a stunning concert room.
The weekend began with ‘Larkin’s England’, a selection of piano miniatures featuring English composers who were contemporaries of Larkin sympathetically interspersed with his poetry. The programme, put together by pianist Ian Buckle with the poems read by Jonathan Gunthorpe, offered an excellent entrée to the weekend and was thoroughly appreciated by a capacity audience.
On Saturday, visitors to the photographic exhibition also had the opportunity to attend two talks each of which reflected aspects of Larkin’s artistic vision. Mark Haworth-Booth, who served as Curator of Photographs at the Victoria and Albert Museum from 1970 to 2004, and wrote the foreword to The Importance of Elsewhere(Richard Bradford’s collection of Larkin photographs) was in conversation with Stapleford Grange’s CEO, Kate Romano, and offered excellent insights on Larkin’s photography and how this related to his poetry. This was followed by a talk about Larkin’s drawings and doodles given by Philip Pullen, many of which will feature in a forthcoming publication.
Lyn Lockwood and Gavin Hogg
Blessed by a gorgeously sunny Autumn morning, Sunday opened with a relaxed, informal event where visitors could sit and listen to recordings of Larkin reading his own poetry; a wonderful soundscape which complemented the photographs displayed around the walls.
Finally we had ‘Larkin’s Blues’, a brilliantly performed piece of theatre featuring two key aspects of Larkin’s life; his relationship with jazz and his relationship with Monica Jones.
Narrated by Kate Romano and Jonathan Gunthorpe, with a script drawn from Larkin’s correspondence and jazz reviews, this gem of a performance brought the curtain down on what had been an absolutely perfect weekend of Larkin indulgence.
Larkin’s photographs remain on display until Tuesday 24th September.
A further performance of ‘Larkin’s England’ will take place in Derby on Thursday 10th October. Click here for details.
The Philip Larkin Society is delighted to be supporting the forthcoming Larkin Weekend at Stapleford Granary near Cambridge.
Stapleford Granary is a beautiful Arts Centre with award-winning facilities set in a converted 19th century farm complex. It is situated at the foot of the Gog Magog Downs just 5 miles from the centre of Cambridge.
The weekend includes: an exhibition of Larkin’s photography, on loan from Hull History Centre; a curator talk by Mark Haworth-Booth, previously senior curator of photographs at the Victoria and Albert Museum; musical presentations based on ‘Larkin’s England’; ‘Larkin’s Blues’ a semi-staged production based around Larkin’s love of jazz and his relationship with Monica Jones, and an illustrated talk on Larkin’s doodles.
For full details and booking arrangements, click here.
Saturday 21 September 2024
10.00 – 15.30
Join us for a poetry workshop in the park, drawing inspiration from Philip Larkin’s time in Hull.
Come join us at Artlink Hull for a unique poetry writing workshop with Philip Larkin Society (PLS) Deputy Chair and PLS podcast Tiny In All That Air presenter Lyn Lockwood and Beverley based award winning poet Chris Sewart.
Beginning with a walk around The Avenues and Pearson Park, we will explore the world of Philip Larkin and let his works inspire you. This in-person event will guide you through crafting your own poems, exploring themes and styles remniscent of Larkin’s iconic work. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just starting out, this workshop is a great opportunity to hone your skills and connect with fellow poetry enthusiasts. Don’t miss out on this chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of words.
We will email you a reading list of the Larkin poems we will be reading before the event to get you in the mood.
While you are booking your ticket, you can also support the PLS by buying some of our exclusive merchandise- 2 A4 print designs, tote bag and t-shirts- at a special discount and collect on the day. Why not treat yourself?!
For booking details click here.
Six trustees and 14 members met up for an hour on a Thursday evening to introduce ourselves and have a bit of a Larkin chat, with glasses of wine and beer and cups of tea.
We came from across the country- London, Sheffield, Salisbury, Beverley, Hove (raining), Northampton, Dublin, Cirencester, Isle of Wight, Oxford, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Cornwall (sunny).
We packed a lot of Larkin discussion into an hour: We have written poems about Larkin; passed Larkin on the stairs; studied him at school; never studied him at all; read Aubade at Larkin’s grave; explored Larkin’s visit to the Isle of Wight; loved Andrew Motion’s biography; admired Larkin’s advocacy for librarianship; have been in the society from the start; enjoyed Don Lee’s birthday’s walks; learnt Larkin poems by heart; admired Larkin as an editor and a diplomat and loved his life as well as his poetry.
We enjoyed reading AL 57- it took us to Chichester even if we hadn’t been there for the event; it took us back to the Conference of Dec 2022; we agreed Clarissa was a super editor of About Larkin; started a bidding war over an unsent Rosemary Tonks letter found in a book; discussed the Cornish Maisie Day and watched the David Quantick speech on YouTube.
When it came to our favourite Larkin poem, there was not much of a consensus so just take your pick from the following: ‘Aubade’, ‘Afternoons’, ‘Toads’, ‘High Windows’, ‘The Explosion’, ‘When First We Faced’, ‘The Whitsun Weddings’, ‘We Met at the end of the Party’, ‘At Grass’, ‘Mr Bleaney’, ‘Dublinesque’, ‘To the Sea’, ‘Broadcast’, ‘The Dance’.
Thanks all for coming along and especially to Rachael for being such a brilliant host.
See you at the next Meet the Members Zoom get together later in the year.
Residents in the avenues area of Hull have been campaigning for many years for the reinstatement of a working fountain on the junction of Victoria Avenue and Salisbury Street and on Saturday 8th July 2023 they achieved their goal when a replacement fountain, crafted specially to echo the original, was switched on in front of a large crowd of residents and supporters.
Until her death in 2011, Jean Hartley, a close friend and publisher of Philip Larkin, had been a prominent member of the campaign group and had proposed that the new fountain should carry these lines from Larkin’s poem, ‘Water’.
‘If I were called in
To construct a religion
I should make use of water’
The switch-on ceremony included a poetry reading by Professor Graham Chesters, Chair of The Philip Larkin Society, and a short speech by the local Member of Parliament, The Right Honourable, Dame Diana Johnson. On a day when the heavens opened, the Dagger Lane Singers bravely fought their way through what was, on more than one level, a most appropriate composition – ‘We Won’t Give Up’.
Local artist, Jackie Ward-Lomax, who played such a massive part in the fund-raising scheme, was given the privilege of pressing the button that made the waters flow again after more than 100 years.
Video coverage of the switching on ceremony can be found on our YouTube channel or by clicking here
For more information about the Victoria Road Fountain and the campaign to reinstall it see:
https://victoriafountain.org
Things are building up nicely for what is turning out to be a mini Larkin festival in Beverley, East Yorkshire, a town that meant a lot to Larkin. The events are centred around the first ever Larkin inspired exhibition at Beverley Art Gallery featuring the work of Seoul-based artists Yeonkyoung Lee and Sam Robinson.
‘Home Is So Sad’ draws on a longstanding interest in the life and work of Philip Larkin, the idea of ‘home’ as a fluid concept and new research into East Riding’s cultural history. Alongside their work, the artists have selected pieces from the permanent collections of East Riding Museums and the Philip Larkin Society. Two of the paintings chosen were owned by Larkin, and one contains his image, but all could be said to share something of the tone of his poetry as it pertains to home.
For the duration of the exhibition, a further display of objects owned by or connected to Philip Larkin will be on display in the permanent gallery. The result of a collaboration with the Philip Larkin Society.
The exhibition runs from 1st April to 13th May and is free to attend.
On 14th April East Riding Theatre will be the venue for ‘A Joyous Shot’, an evening of Larkin-inspired words and music, featuring, Vicky Foster, Chris Sewart and the Mechanicals Band. Tickets cost £14 and are available to book online.
On Thursday 20th April at 10.00 AM there will be a guided walk of Philip Larkin’s Beverley. This is a free event but places must be booked via the Beverley Art Gallery, telephone 01482 392780.
On Saturday 22nd April, at 1.45 pm, the Treasure House in Beverley will be hosting two talks by the Philip Larkin Society. Philip Pullen, a Larkin Society Trustee and Chair of Larkin100 will be talking about Larkin’s relationship to the East Riding and what it meant to him. Graham Chesters, Chair of the Larkin Society will be giving a talk about Larkin’s art collection and will show how the pictures he purchased, the pictures he was given, the pictures he liked, all build up to a portrait of the poet-artist himself and his artistic taste. Tickets for the event cost £5 and are available via this link
The Philip Larkin Society is delighted to be collaborating with the Beverley Art Gallery in East Yorkshire to produce what will be the first every Larkin Exhibition in the town.
Beverley was one of the first places Larkin visited after taking up his position as Librarian at Hull University in March 1955. It remained one of his favourite haunts for the rest of his life.
Home is So Sad presents newly commissioned paintings and installation art by Seoul-based artists Yeonkyoung Lee and Sam Robinson.
Their work reflects a long-standing interest in the life and work of Philip Larkin, the details of everyday life, and the idea of ‘home’ as a fluid concept.
Alongside this, the artists have selected pieces from the permanent collections of East Riding Museums and the Philip Larkin Society.
During the exhibition there is an additional display of Larkin artefacts on show in the red gallery.
We announce the sad news that Eddie Dawes, our former Chairman, died on Friday 3rd March after having been admitted to hospital with pneumonia. His two sons were with him. He was 97.
An outstanding scientist, a national figure in the Magic Circle (and prolific writer on the history of magic) and the founding chairman of the Larkin Society, he had exceptional gifts that he wore lightly. For 25 years, he and Anthony Thwaite as President led the Society together with a sure and confident vision.
We will honour their memory.
We had not organised a conference since 2019 with Covid creating so many barriers in the way. But as 2022 began, confidence in face to face events was now back, and we knew this would be a fantastic end to the Larkin100 year.
Kyra Piperides introduces the first panel
The two- day event was opened by teacher Alexandra Davis who took us through a fascinating project she is running with her students as part of her Masters studies- teaching Larkin on the ‘black market’ (as he is not on their current syllabus). This was a really joyful account of the pupils’ many and varied reactions to Larkin. It also set the tone and approach for the whole two days: a focus on teaching and disseminating Larkin’s work and a rigorous examination of the current context of Larkin’s work in the world of social media and changing attitudes to sexuality, race, religion and poetic endeavour. The range of topics covered during the course of the conference was outstanding: Larkin’s machinery, Larkin (not) doing National Service, new musical settings to Larkin’s verse and Larkin in Other Cultures to name a handful. We read and analysed Sad Steps and Ted Hughes’ The Thought Fox with Friday’s keynote speaker Suzanne Conway, and examined Larkin’s poetic and critical links to WH Auden, Stevie Smith and Andrew Marvell. A huge range of Larkin’s poems were discussed, as were his literary criticism and letters.
Professor Will May from the University of Southampton, presenting his talk on Philip Larkin and Stevie Smith
There was a fantastically convivial atmosphere throughout as attendees and speakers got to know each other. We all enjoyed the drinks reception in the Brynmor Jones Library’s outstanding art gallery, and many of us took the chance to enjoy a guided tour around the library and Larkin’s office.
Attendee Robert Black summed it up brilliantly when he wrote to say:
I had such a lovely time in Hull this week and wanted to thank you … for putting together a fascinating, entertaining and informative conference. I learned as I laughed which is always the best way.
Thursday’s key note speaker, Observer and New Statesman journalist Rachel Cooke, wrote this piece as a testament to how much she had enjoyed her time with us. We are already tentatively planning Conference 2023!
Lyn Lockwood
A recording of our fantastic 21st September online event featuring Rosie Millard in Conversation with Sir Andrew Motion is now available to view on our YouTube channel. Click here
A recording of Philip Pullen’s talk, ‘The Importance of Elsewhere’, produced for the Belfast International Arts Festival, is also now available to view on the BIAF YouTube channel as well as on the PLS YouTube channel
Talks given at joint conference with the Betjeman Society held in Leicester entitled ‘A Coming Together of Sorts: the collaborative adventures of John Betjeman and Philip Larkin’ can also be viewed on the PLS YouTube channel.
A final ‘High Tea and Poetry‘ afternoon will be held in the James Reckett Reading Room in Hull Central Library on 8th December. These have proved to be highly enjoyable afternoons spent in the glorious surroundings of Central Library’s James Reckitt Reading Room in the company of two of Hull’s best poets. Reading poems, telling stories and enjoying delicious food and drink. Places are limited for the final event and need to be booked via this link
December 2nd is going to be another massive day in the Centenary calendar, with events taking place in London, Coventry and Hull.
The annual commemorative PLS event on 2nd December, the day Larkin died in 1985, will this year take place in Westminster Abbey. Details are still being worked on. It will include Evensong and a short ceremony in Poets’ Corner and will include readings of poems. This event is now fully booked.
On the same day in Coventry, Larkin’s home city, a blue plaque will be unveiled at his birthplace, 2 Poultney Road by the Lord Mayor of Coventry. We are grateful to the Coventry Society for their tremendous support in helping us to achieve this long-standing goal. Following on from this, at 7.00 PM in Stoneleigh Church Sheila Wolf, a previous Head of English at Larkin’s school, King Henry VIII in Coventry, will be giving a talk on Larkin’s poetry which is free to attend. Full details can be found here.
In Hull, the 2nd December will see the launch of a very special Larkin installation at Hull Central Library curated by the film maker Zsolt Balogh. Zsolt’s installations for Hull2017 were real highlights of the City of Culture year and this new indoor installation promises to be something very special indeed and will run until 21st December.
Blake Morrison will be giving a talk about Larkin for ULEMLA – the University of London Extra-Mural Literature Association – at 11am on Saturday December 3rd, at the Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1BD (two minutes’ walk from the Mornington Crescent Northern Line tube). All welcome.
The PLS Conference, ‘Bad habits of expectancy’, will take place at the University of Hull on 8th -9th December. We are very pleased to host an academic conference which aims to present current thinking about Larkin and his contemporaries in a lively and interactive programme, including keynote speaker and leading Larkin commentator, Rachel Cooke. Full details can be found here.
And there is bound to be more! In fact, we are planning something very special during the final few months of the year. Be sure to keep a close eye on our website, Twitter and Instagram accounts for updates and announcements.
In addition, the new PLS YouTube Channel will continue to post content relating to various Larkin places, as well as recordings of some of the Larkin100 talks and lectures. We are hoping to upload a lot more video content generated by members and followers: we encourage contributions to be sent to us via the email address Larkin100.online@gmail.com.
Philip Pullen
Chair, Larkin100
It’s that time of year again, looking ahead to Christmas and New Year, and the PLS have just released two new excellent items for our online shop. Following on from the success of this year’s centenary wall calendar (which sold out), we have designed a charming A5 desk calendar to see you through 2023, in conjunction with our friends in Sheffield, Volta Creative. This time we celebrate the wonderful Larkin doodles taken from his letters, that reflect Larkin’s domestic concerns- from cutting down on the booze to dreading the next Budget- all things we can sympathise with still! Some of these have never been published before.
If you were a student back in the 1980s or 90s, you will surely remember Viz magazine- the Geordie institution that took a love of vintage ‘Beano’ style comics and brought them up to date with funny, often outrageous, jokes. Viz is still going strong today, and one of their long standing artists (and great Larkin fan) Davey Jones has kindly given us this image to turn into a high quality A4 print. Davey has never had his artwork used as merchandise before so we are very proud of this world exclusive! Perfect for an office wall or a stocking filler for a Larkin (or Viz) fan.
We still have the ever popular Christmas cards and snowy images of Larkin’s two Hull homes in Pearson Park and Newland Park, by Hull artist Tony Denison, as well as postcards, t-shirts, posters, tea towels, pencils and books. All purchases help support our charitable aims and are very much appreciated.
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The Philip Larkin Society, in conjunction with The University of Loughborough and local author and tour guide Lynne Dyer, are pleased to announce the first ever Larkin Day in Loughborough on Wednesday 2nd November.
Philip Larkin was a frequent visitor to Loughborough, where his mother and sister lived for over 27 years. The town also features as a backdrop in the many letters to each other.
The day will begin at 2.00 PM with a two hour guided walk led by Lynne Dyer and Philip Pullen. The walk will cover many of the places that would have been familiar to the Larkins, as well as places that have changed beyond recognition.
Meet outside the Charnwood Museum in Queen’s Park. For more details and to book a place please email lynneaboutloughborough@gmail.com
At 6.00 PM, PLS Trustee and Chair of Larkin100, Philip Pullen, will be giving an illustrated talk about Larkin’s relationship with his mother and the part the town played in her life.
Full details about the talk and booking arrangements can be found via this link.
