A celebration marking 70 years of Philip Larkin's 'The Less Deceived'

There is an evening coming in...

To mark the 70th anniversary publication of Philip Larkin’s The Less Deceived, Liverpool-born poet, song lyricist and broadcaster, Stewart Henderson presents a celebratory assessment of Larkin’s poetry, echoing the late Clive James’s observation of Hull’s most famous librarian, ‘He faces the worst on our behalf and brings it to order’.

Stewart Henderson first came across Larkin’s poetry in a book shop in his native city in the early 1970’s, around the corner from the famous Cavern, and after ’the Beatles first LP’.

Pursuing poetry as an unlikely career path, widely anthologised, Stewart has had over a dozen volumes published, including three best-selling children’s collections. His song lyrics for various singer-songwriters, have drawn critical plaudits from such prestigious music magazines such as Q, Mojo and Buzz, who rank Stewart's words alongside those of Randy Newman, Radiohead, and Mike Scott of The Waterboys.

Stewart’s many social history documentaries (including some award winning) for BBC Radio 4, Radio 2 and The World Service, have included programmes about composer, Lionel Bart; balladeer poet, Robert Service; the early radio years of Morecambe and Wise; plus two separate programmes on his home city’s famed, 1960’s music clubs, The Cavern, and The Mardi Gras.

This event is presented in association with the Philip Larkin Society, and will feature performances by students from Wyke Sixth Form.

Tickets £8/£5 (concessions) available on the door or online (subject to eventbrite fee).

Host or Publisher Simon Cross