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Larkin 25
'Another Look at Larkin'
Location(s)Kingston upon Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire
Years active14 June to 2 December 2010
Websitehttp://www.larkin25.co.uk/

Larkin 25 is an arts festival and cultural event in the City of Kingston upon Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, England which has been organised to mark the quarter century since the poet and University of Hull Librarian Philip Larkin died. It was launched in June 2010 and will continue until December 2010. The festival has received public funding from the Arts Council England and other funding bodies along with local sponsorship by the private sector.

Larkin was born in Coventry but adopted Hull as his home town during the period he served as head Librarian at the Brynmor Jones Library[1] for thirty years from 1955 until his death in 1985. He lived for much of this time at Hull's Newland Park[2] near the University and later in a flat at Pearson Park[3] off Beverley Road.

The festival was launched at Hull Truck Theatre on 14 June.[4][5][6]

Overview of Larkin 25 Festival

The festival programme includes daily walking tours, art and photography exhibitions as well as musical events and an exhibition of Larkin memorabilia. Funding for a commemmorative statue of Larkin is being raised following a public appeal.[7] On 19 June, Sir Tom Courtenay visited the University of Hull to perform a revised version of his West End one-man play based on Larkin's life, titled Larkin Revisited. Mr Courtenay will offer a repeat performance at Hull Truck Theatre in November 2010.[8][9] A number of buses in Hull are displaying poems by Larkin during the festival.[10] The former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion has named an East Yorkshire Motor Services bus "Philip Larkin" to commemorate the poet.[11][12] Larkin 25 has coincided with a number of other major events in the city including Hull's annual literature festival, 'Humber Mouth 2010' which took place in July 2010[13] The return of the Clipper Round the World Race took place on 17 July which was also the launch date for the public art event, 'Larkin with Toads'.[14]

'Larkin with Toads'

Main article: Larkin with Toads
Number 10: representation of Larkin as a toad, Princes Quay Shopping Centre, Kingston upon Hull

A major feature of the Larkin 25 festival is a display of 40 giant fibre-glass toad sculptures, each painted with a unique design created by artists and local people.[15] 'Larkin with Toads' was launched in Hull city centre on Saturday 17 July.[16] The organisers have produced a downloadable 'Larkin with Toads' map and guide. The toad trail covers key locations in Hull city centre such as the Museum Quarter, The Deep and the three shopping centres. Other toads are located in outlying suburban areas such as The Avenues and University of Hull with some beyond Hull's boundaries in areas of the East Riding known to Larkin. There is a toad at Beverley on Flemingate near Beverley Minster. The toad launch coincided with the return to Hull of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet.[17] The idea for the trail was inspired by Larkin's poems about working life, 'Toads' and recalls the poet's love of wildlife.[18]

The designs [1] include a Larkin toad, a 'Punk toad, a 'Tiger Toad' based on the mascot of Hull City AFC (football club) and a 'Typographical toad' adorned with Larkin's poetry.[19] The organisers intend to auction the toads for charity at the end of the event but there have been calls to make them a permanent feature.[20] 'Larkin with Toads' joins several established educational trails in Hull including the newly refurbished Seven Seas trail (installed in 1992) marking the city's fishing heritage which saw some new features added in July 2010.[21] During the festival, the "Citycare toad" toured local health and community centres in Hull.[22] By late July 2010 the Hull Daily Mail reported that more than 30,000 'Larkin with Toads' guides had been distributed.[23]

Vandalism and theft

Though generally popular with the public, some of the Larkin toads were subjected to acts of vandalism and theft.[24] Shortly after their installation, the Yorkshire Post reported that several of the models had been vandalised.[25]. In July 2010, BBC News and The Daily Telegraph reported that a 'punk toad' placed near to Hull Truck Theatre had its mohican ripped off and an 'astronaut toad' outside Hull Paragon Interchange (railway station) had also suffered criminal damage. The organisers repaired the damage and efforts were made to make the toads more resilient to vandalism.[24][26] On Monday 6 September 2010, the BBC and Hull Daily Mail reported that the Magenta Toad had been stolen from its location in North Ferriby.[27][28] It was later found dumped by the A63 and recovered for repair.[29]

Other cultural trails and educational activities

A 'Larkin Trail' has been planned, taking in key locations associated with Larkin to be marked with plaques in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire including Cottingham, Beverley, and villages around Goole, Holderness and Spurn Point. Education packs encouraging creative writing, literacy, art and nature conservation activities based around Larkin 25 are being distributed to schools in Hull and the East Riding lead by 'Creative Partnerships'. The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that schools are being sent a '32 cm high plastic toad' to be decorated by pupils as part of these educational activities.[30]

Larkin statue

The legacy of Larkin 25 will be a memorial to Philip Larkin in the form of a life-size statue designed by Martin Jennings, to be installed on the concourse at Hull Paragon Interchange.[31] A competition was held for the design and entries included a version of Larkin on his bicycle. The winning design portrays Larkin hurrying to catch the train from Hull. It should be unveiled on the twenty-fifth anniversary of Larkin's death, 2 December 2010. It echoes Jenning's statue of Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, at London's St Pancras Station. An appeal to raise the funds to complete the statue coincides with the Larkin 25 events. On 4 August 2010, Hull City Council's Planning Committee gave permission to install the statue on Paragon Interchange concourse. BBC News reported that it will have an inscription drawn from the first line of Larkin's poem, 'The Whitsun Weddings'.[32][33]

Jazz

Larkin was jazz critic for The Daily Telegraph between 1961 and 1971. Charles Spencer comments that Larkin 'could live a week without poetry but not a day without jazz'. A compilation of Larkin's favourite jazz recordings titled "Larkin's Jazz"[34] has been released to mark the 25th anniversary of his death.[35] The recordings complement the "diary" of Larkin's jazz pieces for the Telegraph, titled All What Jazz (1985).[36]

Larkin 25 key events

  • 14 June 2010 - Larkin 25 Festival launched at Hull Truck Theatre, Ferensway, St. Stephen's Hull
  • 19 June 2010 - Hull-born actor Sir Tom Courtenay performed Larkin Revisted the University of Hull
  • 6 July 2010 - Larkin's verse appears on Hull buses and Sir Andrew Motion names the 'Larkin' bus
  • 17 July 2010 - Larkin with Toads launched in Hull city centre with display of decorated toad models
  • 21 July 2010 - Vandalism to Larkin Toads reported in national press[26]
  • 27 July 2010 - 30, 000 Larkin with Toads guides distributed to visitors
  • 4 August 2010 - Planning permission granted for Larkin statue at Hull Paragon Station
  • 7 September - 'Magenta toad' recovered following theft

Media coverage

The festival's broader cultural significance has been noted by coverage in the UK broadsheet press and the broadcast media along with stories in the local titles, Hull Daily Mail and Yorkshire Evening Post. The Daily Telegraph reported that 'the reclusive' Larkin 'would be unimpressed' by the event.[37] Stephen McClarence writing in The Times observed, 'The city is celebrating this year's 25th anniversary of his death in fine style.'[38] The plans for a Larkin toad sculpture trail in Hull initially drew criticism from the local and national media due to concerns about the expenditure at a time of recession.[39] The event went ahead despite the negative response, inviting artists to design a toad and with sponsorship invited for each toad. The press reported a positive response from the public once the toads were put on display.

An article in the Hull Daily Mail reported that local opinion had shifted in favour of the Toad sculptures with an online poll recording a majority of readers favouring the event.[16] The same newspaper reported that the popularity of the Larkin toads with many residents and visitors may lead to them becoming a permanent feature on Hull's streets.[20] By late July 2010, Hull Daily Mail reported that Larkin with Toads had already enjoyed a considerable level public interest.[23] Following an online poll of 520 its readers, the website This is Hull and East Riding found that 53% agreed with installing a Larkin statue in Hull and 47% against, suggesting a small majority in favour of the installation.[40]

References

  1. ^ Paul Harrop. "Brynmor Jones Library, University of Hull".
  2. ^ Paul Harrop. "105 Newland Park, Hull".
  3. ^ Paul Harrop. "31 and 32 Pearson Park, Hull".
  4. ^ "Festival to celebrate Philip Larkin's life kicks-off". This is Hull & East Riding. Northcliffe Media Ltd. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
  5. ^ "Larkin 25 - Another Look at Larkin". University of Hull. 2010-06-23. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  6. ^ BBC News 11 February 2010 'Commemorations planned for Hull poet Philip Larkin' Retrieved 2010-07-01
  7. ^ "Commemorating the life and work of Philip Larkin". Larkin25. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  8. ^ Dig Yorkshire
  9. ^ BBC 16 June 2010 Radio 4 'Today' Programme interview with Tom Courtenay on Larkin 'Sir Tom Courtenay on 'my Larkin' Retrieved 2010-07-01
  10. ^ BBC Humber 7 July 2010 'Hull's buses display Larkin's poems in tribute to poet' (Retrieved 2010-07-07)
  11. ^ Yorkshire Evening Post 6 July 2010 'Buses are fare way to celebrate city poet' (Retrieved 2010-07-07)
  12. ^ 'Larkin 25' 7 July 2010 Welcome aboard the Philip Larkin bus! (Retrieved 2010-07-12)
  13. ^ Humber Mouth 2010. HM10 Retrieved 2010-06-18
  14. ^ BBC News 'Clipper rount-the-world crews return to Humber' (Retrieved 2010-07-17)
  15. ^ "Larkin toads get finishing touches". This is Hull and East Riding. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
  16. ^ a b Hull Daily Mail 17 July 2010 'Weird and wonderful toads hop onto city streets for Larkin 25 celebrations' (Retrieved 2010-07-17)
  17. ^ "Larkin With Toads". Larkin 25. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
  18. ^ "Picking a Tigger toad for Larkin Festival". This is Hull and East Riding. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
  19. ^ "Hull to mark 25th anniversary of Larkin's death with giant model toads". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. 2010-05-12. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  20. ^ a b This is Hull and East Riding 20 July 2010 'City's toad invasion could be here to stay after 'incredibly positive' response' (Retrieved 2010-07-20)
  21. ^ This is Hull and East Riding 20 July 2010 'Three new stars for Hull's fish trail' (Retrieved 2010-07-20)
  22. ^ Citycare website 'City's healthiest Larkin25 toad goes on tour' Retrieved 9 August 2010
  23. ^ a b This is Hull and East Riding 27 July 2010 'Toad trail maps leap off shelves' (Retrieved 2010-07-27)
  24. ^ a b "Hull's Larkin toads attacked by vandals". BBC Humberside. BBC. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  25. ^ Yorkshire Post 20 July 2010 'Toads in a hole as tributes hit by pond life' (Retrieved 28 July 2010)
  26. ^ a b "Philip Larkin toads vandalised". Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  27. ^ 'Thieves steal giant Philip Larkin toad in Hull' BBC News Humber 6 September 2010.
  28. ^ 'Larkin Toad stolen from North Ferriby' Hull Daily Mail This is Hull and East Riding, 6 September 2010.
  29. ^ 'Stolen toad found dumped by A63' Hull Daily Mail 7 September 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  30. ^ "Larkin's toads provide scholastic inspiration in anniversary year". Yorkshire Evening Post. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  31. ^ "Sculptor chosen for Larkin statue". BBC News Online. BBC. 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  32. ^ BBC News Humberside 5 August 2010 'Council go-ahead for Larkin statue' Retrieved 6 August 2010
  33. ^ This is Hull and East Riding 5 August 2010 'Life-size statue of Larkin to be put up at Paragon station - despite divided opinion' Retrieved 5 August 2010
  34. ^ Various artists (2010) 'Larkin's Jazz' (4 CD box-set) Proper Records
  35. ^ Spencer, Charles (7 August 2010). "Philip Larkin's box-set will be pure poetry". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  36. ^ Larkin P., ed. (1985). All What Jazz: A Record Diary 1961-1971. London: Faber & Faber.
  37. ^ "Hull organises tourist tour for 25th anniversary of death". The Daily Telegraph. 12 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-01. {{cite news}}: |section= ignored (help)
  38. ^ McClarence, Steve 'Poetry in the provincial: Philip Larkin's Hull' The Times, London 2010-06-18 (Pay-for-view subscription required from July 2010)
  39. ^ Thornhill, Ted (2010-03-15). "Hull council spends £200,000 on toads". Metro.co.uk. Associated Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  40. ^ This is Hull and East Riding blog 2 August 2010 'Should a statue of Philip Larkin be put up at Paragon Station? Poll result' (Retrieved 3 August 2010)

Further reading

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Larkin_25&oldid=384940294"