Philip Larkin Society
@plsoc.bsky.social
Official account for the Philip Larkin Society at PhilipLarkin.com, promoting the work of Philip Larkin.
Pinned
Betty Mackereth, Philip Larkin's feisty long term secretary, immortalised in the 1962 poems Toads Revisited, has passed away today aged 101. Betty was a great supporter of the Philip Larkin Society. We send our condolences to her family.
A tribute to Betty Mackereth on her 100th birthday last year by James Booth can be found in this issue of About Larkin that is available free to all on the Philip Larkin Society website.
philiplarkin.com/wp-content/u...
philiplarkin.com/wp-content/u...
philiplarkin.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:21 AM
A tribute to Betty Mackereth on her 100th birthday last year by James Booth can be found in this issue of About Larkin that is available free to all on the Philip Larkin Society website.
philiplarkin.com/wp-content/u...
philiplarkin.com/wp-content/u...
Betty Mackereth, Philip Larkin's feisty long term secretary, immortalised in the 1962 poems Toads Revisited, has passed away today aged 101. Betty was a great supporter of the Philip Larkin Society. We send our condolences to her family.
November 20, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Betty Mackereth, Philip Larkin's feisty long term secretary, immortalised in the 1962 poems Toads Revisited, has passed away today aged 101. Betty was a great supporter of the Philip Larkin Society. We send our condolences to her family.
Rachel was a wonderful speaker at our 2022 conference. A wonderful, honest journalist, who had great insight into Larkin's writing.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Remembering Rachel Cooke | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Rachel was a wonderful speaker at our 2022 conference. A wonderful, honest journalist, who had great insight into Larkin's writing.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Drawing and (Ted) Tarling day this Saturday at Hull History Centre, starting at 11. Two events inspired by Phillip Larkin. Search for the Philip Larkin Society on Eventbrite for booking details.
November 11, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Drawing and (Ted) Tarling day this Saturday at Hull History Centre, starting at 11. Two events inspired by Phillip Larkin. Search for the Philip Larkin Society on Eventbrite for booking details.
Reposted by Philip Larkin Society
Our Festival Poet, Chris Sewart, is writing 3 new poems in the run-up to the festival, with thanks to support from the Philip Larkin Society.
Chris recently appeared on the Society's podcast, so listen here to find out more: youtu.be/R39qRhBPe24?...
@chriswriting.bsky.social @plsoc.bsky.social
Chris recently appeared on the Society's podcast, so listen here to find out more: youtu.be/R39qRhBPe24?...
@chriswriting.bsky.social @plsoc.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Our Festival Poet, Chris Sewart, is writing 3 new poems in the run-up to the festival, with thanks to support from the Philip Larkin Society.
Chris recently appeared on the Society's podcast, so listen here to find out more: youtu.be/R39qRhBPe24?...
@chriswriting.bsky.social @plsoc.bsky.social
Chris recently appeared on the Society's podcast, so listen here to find out more: youtu.be/R39qRhBPe24?...
@chriswriting.bsky.social @plsoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Philip Larkin Society
A fantastic evening, thanks to all that came along and 'participated' in The Wombles poem! Tickets for the February Festival are at www.stage4beverley.com @stage4beverley.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A fantastic evening, thanks to all that came along and 'participated' in The Wombles poem! Tickets for the February Festival are at www.stage4beverley.com @stage4beverley.bsky.social
A great evening at the Stage 4 Beverley taster event at East Riding Theatre featuring singer-songwriter Danny Bradley and poet Chris Sewart. We are delighted to be supporting Chris as Festival Poet at this fantastic festival in February 2026
November 9, 2025 at 2:22 PM
A great evening at the Stage 4 Beverley taster event at East Riding Theatre featuring singer-songwriter Danny Bradley and poet Chris Sewart. We are delighted to be supporting Chris as Festival Poet at this fantastic festival in February 2026
Reposted by Philip Larkin Society
Looking forward to tonight's 'Sold Out' show at East Riding Theatre. My set might just include a Larkin poem @plsoc.bsky.social and lots of new music themed poems and an updated 'Stage 4 Beverley Blues' @stage4beverley.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Looking forward to tonight's 'Sold Out' show at East Riding Theatre. My set might just include a Larkin poem @plsoc.bsky.social and lots of new music themed poems and an updated 'Stage 4 Beverley Blues' @stage4beverley.bsky.social
If you are heading over to the University of Hull campus today you will see this eye catching signage advertising our conference in March 2026. If you are interested in taking part as a speaker, please message us and we will send you the call for papers.
November 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
If you are heading over to the University of Hull campus today you will see this eye catching signage advertising our conference in March 2026. If you are interested in taking part as a speaker, please message us and we will send you the call for papers.
A fascnating piece by Jeremy Wikely, who will be joining the PLS in Hull on 6th Dec to mark the anniversary of Larkin's death (hopefully that's not 'solemn-sinister'!)
Solemn-sinister wreath-rubbish open.substack.com/pub/jwikeley...
Solemn-sinister wreath-rubbish open.substack.com/pub/jwikeley...
Solemn-sinister wreath-rubbish
Philip Larkin and the politics of forgetting
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A fascnating piece by Jeremy Wikely, who will be joining the PLS in Hull on 6th Dec to mark the anniversary of Larkin's death (hopefully that's not 'solemn-sinister'!)
Solemn-sinister wreath-rubbish open.substack.com/pub/jwikeley...
Solemn-sinister wreath-rubbish open.substack.com/pub/jwikeley...
Happy Halloween from the Tiny in All That Air team, including Maggie the sprocker. Please head over to the podcast for an exploration of one of Larkin's less well known poems.
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Happy Halloween from the Tiny in All That Air team, including Maggie the sprocker. Please head over to the podcast for an exploration of one of Larkin's less well known poems.
The PLS are big fans of Brian Bilston, who told us he was very influenced by Philip Larkin's poetry.
We're delighted to announce that @brianbilston.bsky.social is coming to Beverley! Join us at East Riding Theatre on Valentine's Day for a hint of romance (with a difference!) as Brian explores the world through poetry, in a style that's all his own.
Tickets: stage4beverley.com/whats-on/bri...
Tickets: stage4beverley.com/whats-on/bri...
October 30, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The PLS are big fans of Brian Bilston, who told us he was very influenced by Philip Larkin's poetry.
Reposted by Philip Larkin Society
New eyes each year
Find old books here,
And new books, too,
Old eyes renew;
So youth and age
Like ink and page
In this house join,
Minting new coin.
Philip Larkin, 20th century
#Photography #Wisdom #Poetry #SpeirGorm #India #Ganesh #ImageAndVerse #ArtOfBlueSky #PhotographersOfBlueSky #EastCoastKin
Find old books here,
And new books, too,
Old eyes renew;
So youth and age
Like ink and page
In this house join,
Minting new coin.
Philip Larkin, 20th century
#Photography #Wisdom #Poetry #SpeirGorm #India #Ganesh #ImageAndVerse #ArtOfBlueSky #PhotographersOfBlueSky #EastCoastKin
October 26, 2025 at 4:05 AM
New eyes each year
Find old books here,
And new books, too,
Old eyes renew;
So youth and age
Like ink and page
In this house join,
Minting new coin.
Philip Larkin, 20th century
#Photography #Wisdom #Poetry #SpeirGorm #India #Ganesh #ImageAndVerse #ArtOfBlueSky #PhotographersOfBlueSky #EastCoastKin
Find old books here,
And new books, too,
Old eyes renew;
So youth and age
Like ink and page
In this house join,
Minting new coin.
Philip Larkin, 20th century
#Photography #Wisdom #Poetry #SpeirGorm #India #Ganesh #ImageAndVerse #ArtOfBlueSky #PhotographersOfBlueSky #EastCoastKin
Reposted by Philip Larkin Society
Great to be a guest on the Tiny In All That Air podcast @plsoc.bsky.social Talking all things Larkin, writing workshops, and the music and spoken word performances at the Stage 4 Beverley Festival in February @stage4beverley.bsky.social
Tickets at: stage4beverley.com
share.google/4WSVZQtT0ZVk...
Tickets at: stage4beverley.com
share.google/4WSVZQtT0ZVk...
Tiny In All That Air
Books Podcast · Every two months · This is the podcast for anyone who is interested in Philip Larkin. We will bring you new insights into Larkin's life and writing by talking to people with fascinatin...
share.google
October 30, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Great to be a guest on the Tiny In All That Air podcast @plsoc.bsky.social Talking all things Larkin, writing workshops, and the music and spoken word performances at the Stage 4 Beverley Festival in February @stage4beverley.bsky.social
Tickets at: stage4beverley.com
share.google/4WSVZQtT0ZVk...
Tickets at: stage4beverley.com
share.google/4WSVZQtT0ZVk...
New episode out today, a gentle ramble through all things PLS with Lyn Lockwood and @chriswriting.bsky.social
Tiny In All That Air - Podcast - Apple Podcasts share.google/4WSVZQtT0ZVk...
Tiny In All That Air - Podcast - Apple Podcasts share.google/4WSVZQtT0ZVk...
Tiny In All That Air
Books Podcast · Every two months · This is the podcast for anyone who is interested in Philip Larkin. We will bring you new insights into Larkin's life and writing by talking to people with fascinatin...
share.google
October 24, 2025 at 7:04 AM
New episode out today, a gentle ramble through all things PLS with Lyn Lockwood and @chriswriting.bsky.social
Tiny In All That Air - Podcast - Apple Podcasts share.google/4WSVZQtT0ZVk...
Tiny In All That Air - Podcast - Apple Podcasts share.google/4WSVZQtT0ZVk...
A very cheerful and thoughtful Meet the Members Zoom event last night. We discussed the new PLS book club, suitable images for new merchandise, Larkin's ties, Larkin the prose writer and a potential new fiction genre of Larkin Noir and the Case of the Stolen Painting (of sheep).
October 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A very cheerful and thoughtful Meet the Members Zoom event last night. We discussed the new PLS book club, suitable images for new merchandise, Larkin's ties, Larkin the prose writer and a potential new fiction genre of Larkin Noir and the Case of the Stolen Painting (of sheep).
It's getting dark and cold, so why not enjoy the warm and cheerful Hull History Centre on 15th November, with a Larkin related drawing workshop in the morning and a fascinating talk about Hull legend, Larkin's friend Ted Tarling in the afternoon.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1761076670...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1761076670...
Drawing and Tarling: A Larkin Day at the Hull History Centre
Respond to Larkin objects through drawing or painting, followed by a talk on Larkin's friend, musician Ted Tarling.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
It's getting dark and cold, so why not enjoy the warm and cheerful Hull History Centre on 15th November, with a Larkin related drawing workshop in the morning and a fascinating talk about Hull legend, Larkin's friend Ted Tarling in the afternoon.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1761076670...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1761076670...
Carol Rumen’s heartfelt obituary for Maurice Rutherford who has died at the age of 103. Born in the same year as Philip Larkin, it highlights the strong connections between the two poets and the Hull landscape they both shared. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Maurice Rutherford obituary
Poet who wrote with originality, warmth and mischief about his home city of Hull, after turning to writing later in life
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Carol Rumen’s heartfelt obituary for Maurice Rutherford who has died at the age of 103. Born in the same year as Philip Larkin, it highlights the strong connections between the two poets and the Hull landscape they both shared. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
This is worth seeing if you can get along to the final shows.
Catch the last two performances of my play Philip Larkin: Masterspy at the Seven Oaks, Manchester this week on Thursday & Friday. Tickets:
www.fatsoma.com/p/room-5064-...
www.fatsoma.com/p/room-5064-...
October 13, 2025 at 9:57 AM
This is worth seeing if you can get along to the final shows.
Reposted by Philip Larkin Society
Sunrises and sunsets never get old.
Here are a few photos from road trips
across the Gulf Coast.
Solar
~Philip Larkin
Suspended lion face
Spilling at the centre
Of an unfurnished sky
#poetry #sunset #sunrise #travel #Louisiana #NOLA #FrenchQuarter #MississippiRiver #yellow #urban
Here are a few photos from road trips
across the Gulf Coast.
Solar
~Philip Larkin
Suspended lion face
Spilling at the centre
Of an unfurnished sky
#poetry #sunset #sunrise #travel #Louisiana #NOLA #FrenchQuarter #MississippiRiver #yellow #urban
October 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Sunrises and sunsets never get old.
Here are a few photos from road trips
across the Gulf Coast.
Solar
~Philip Larkin
Suspended lion face
Spilling at the centre
Of an unfurnished sky
#poetry #sunset #sunrise #travel #Louisiana #NOLA #FrenchQuarter #MississippiRiver #yellow #urban
Here are a few photos from road trips
across the Gulf Coast.
Solar
~Philip Larkin
Suspended lion face
Spilling at the centre
Of an unfurnished sky
#poetry #sunset #sunrise #travel #Louisiana #NOLA #FrenchQuarter #MississippiRiver #yellow #urban
Thank you to Joy and Jim at the legendary KallKwik printers in Hull for producing another high quality booklet for our poetry event.
October 13, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Thank you to Joy and Jim at the legendary KallKwik printers in Hull for producing another high quality booklet for our poetry event.
Lovely day for the Avenues walk and writing workshop with Lyn Lockwood and Jane Bluett. The Avenues and Pearson Park looked splendid in the autumn sunshine, and Jane's writing guidance produced all kinds of fascinating responses to Larkin. Thank you to all our attendees and the excellent Artlink.
October 12, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Lovely day for the Avenues walk and writing workshop with Lyn Lockwood and Jane Bluett. The Avenues and Pearson Park looked splendid in the autumn sunshine, and Jane's writing guidance produced all kinds of fascinating responses to Larkin. Thank you to all our attendees and the excellent Artlink.