Published on Tuesday 15 November 2011 - Yorkshire Post
An idea born out of a summer’s walk 15 years ago has led to a very personal and “unusual” tribute to the poet Philip Larkin.The publishers of the resulting book are hoping it will make an ideal stocking filler for Larkin fans this Christmas.
The Larkin Trail Sketchbook is a collection of paintings and drawings by retired teacher Geoffrey Waters, and offers an insight into his views of some of the poet’s favourite places in Hull and the East Riding.
It followed a highly successful booklet produced earlier by Larkin’s friend and first publisher, Jean Hartley. Her booklet, Philip Larkin’s Hull and East Yorkshire, served as a guide to the places Larkin lived in and was associated with during the 30 years he lived in the city until his death in 1985.
It was this that formed the basis of the first Larkin Trail and was used by the newly-formed Philip Larkin Society for a walk on August 9, 1996, to commemorate the poet’s birthday.
Mr Waters was one of the walkers that day but had to cut his participation short because of another commitment.
He returned to the trail at his own leisure on other occasions, and his book, produced from a facsimile, charts his journey – including the occasional faltering step.
Mr Waters, 87, said: “The first walk was organised by Maeve Brennan and Jean Hartley and I joined them because I was a member of the Philip Larkin Society and as they went around I drew pictures.
“But on that day I had to go to Scarborough to the theatre to see Wild Honey because my wife wanted to go, and ever afterwards I thought what a pity, I’ve got so many pages left in this sketchbook.
“I know Cottingham very well so I thought I’ll go and investigate where he lived and some of the places he went to.
“But I went to the wrong place so I’ve written in where I made a mistake.”
Dr Hartley wrote the introduction to the book shortly before her death this year.
The book features a painting of Dr Hartley’s house and of Betty Mackereth, Larkin’s secretary of 28 years who was last year revealed as his lover.
Mr Waters said he was delighted to see his book in print. “It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s a beautiful production I think.”
The book is being published in a partnership between the Philip Larkin Society and Hull Council’s library service, through the service’s imprint Kingston Press.
Graham Chesters, vice-chairman of the Philip Larkin Society, said: “It’s an unusual and very personal book.
“It captures the spirit of the Larkin Trail and it’s done very beautifully.”
Dr Hartley launched a new Larkin Trail in April as part of a series of events to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death.
The walk starts at the Royal Hotel, where he used to take his girlfriends, and takes in Hull City Hall, where he indulged his passion for jazz, as well as sites including his home in Pearson Park, and Hull University, where he worked as a librarian.
The events culminated in the unveiling of a 7ft bronze statue of the poet in Paragon Station.
The new book costs £9.99 and is available from Central Library, and online through the society’s website.
It followed a highly successful booklet produced earlier by Larkin’s friend and first publisher, Jean Hartley. Her booklet, Philip Larkin’s Hull and East Yorkshire, served as a guide to the places Larkin lived in and was associated with during the 30 years he lived in the city until his death in 1985.
It was this that formed the basis of the first Larkin Trail and was used by the newly-formed Philip Larkin Society for a walk on August 9, 1996, to commemorate the poet’s birthday.
Mr Waters was one of the walkers that day but had to cut his participation short because of another commitment.
He returned to the trail at his own leisure on other occasions, and his book, produced from a facsimile, charts his journey – including the occasional faltering step.
Mr Waters, 87, said: “The first walk was organised by Maeve Brennan and Jean Hartley and I joined them because I was a member of the Philip Larkin Society and as they went around I drew pictures.
“But on that day I had to go to Scarborough to the theatre to see Wild Honey because my wife wanted to go, and ever afterwards I thought what a pity, I’ve got so many pages left in this sketchbook.
“I know Cottingham very well so I thought I’ll go and investigate where he lived and some of the places he went to.
“But I went to the wrong place so I’ve written in where I made a mistake.”
Dr Hartley wrote the introduction to the book shortly before her death this year.
The book features a painting of Dr Hartley’s house and of Betty Mackereth, Larkin’s secretary of 28 years who was last year revealed as his lover.
Mr Waters said he was delighted to see his book in print. “It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s a beautiful production I think.”
The book is being published in a partnership between the Philip Larkin Society and Hull Council’s library service, through the service’s imprint Kingston Press.
Graham Chesters, vice-chairman of the Philip Larkin Society, said: “It’s an unusual and very personal book.
“It captures the spirit of the Larkin Trail and it’s done very beautifully.”
Dr Hartley launched a new Larkin Trail in April as part of a series of events to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death.
The walk starts at the Royal Hotel, where he used to take his girlfriends, and takes in Hull City Hall, where he indulged his passion for jazz, as well as sites including his home in Pearson Park, and Hull University, where he worked as a librarian.
The events culminated in the unveiling of a 7ft bronze statue of the poet in Paragon Station.
The new book costs £9.99 and is available from Central Library, and online through the society’s website.