Interesting to see that Larkin was one of the champions of ‘Poems on the Underground’. It made him think of pulpit posters outside churches and a reminder that,”the world of imagination existed”. www.positive.news/lifestyle/ar...

The bluebells are blooming! Poems capturing the beauty of a much-loved wildflower: www.candlestickpress.co.uk/pamphlet/ten...

Larkin’s father died on 26 March 1948. A week the following Sunday it snowed in Warwick. This beautiful elegy was never printed in the poet’s lifetime and yet, arguably, it is his first great poem.

Jeremy Wikeley refers to Larkin's Mr Bleaney in this review of Leontia Flynn's collection of poems about homes and living spaces, Profit and Loss. open.substack.com/pub/jwikeley...

On St George's Day, here is a poem that features one of only 3 uses of the word 'English' in Larkin's poetry, which characteristically describes a train journey. From The North Ship, Larkin's first published collection of poetry, 1945.

Dr Andrew Palmer exploring the connections and tensions between Ray Davies and Philip Larkin at our recent conference. You can view this, and other conference presentations by subscribing to our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/channel/UCzv...

President of The Philip Larkin Society, Rosie Millard, opens the second day of our amazing 2026 conference. Over the next few weeks we’ll be uploading most of the presentations. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to ensure that you don’t miss any of them. youtu.be/6M273cwajFQ?...

Still a few places left and concessionary places, first come, first served.

This article is in the latest issue of Record Collector....What, no Sunday Sessions by Philip Larkin? I feel a letter to the editor coming on! @plsoc.bsky.social

Celebrations of life outdoors – whether with our hands in the earth or listening to birdsong – Ten Poems about Allotments and Ten Poems about Blackbirds out today! www.candlestickpress.co.uk/pamphlet/ten... www.candlestickpress.co.uk/pamphlet/ten...

The Fig Tree have a call out for poems to commemorate the 1926 General Strike... figtreepoetry.substack.com/p/submission...

'Larkin's evocation of the icy, claustrophobic, wartime town is heightened by flashbacks to the glowing summer ... Both seasons are vividly evoked.' (Carol Rumens' review of A Girl In Winter, The Guardian 2011). Our online Book Club choice for 11 May meeting. All PLS members very welcome.

Early bird 10% discount until midnight tomorrow with the code BRUSH.

So pleased to have a poem in The Fig Tree's 2025 Anthology, and looking forward to reading at its launch on Saturday 11th April in Doncaster. Come along and hear some fine poetry... Full details at crookedspirepress.com/the-fig-tree...

We are open for full length poetry collection submissions until 31st May. A very small percentage of people who submit to Broken Sleep Books actually buy a book from us. If every submitter bought just 1 title, it would make a huge difference. Guidelines: www.brokensleepbooks.com/submissions

Still a few places. Early bird signup till April 10th: 10% off with the code BRUSH.

The second Fig Tree Women's Poetry Special is out....with another range of fantastic poem... figtreepoetry.substack.com/p/the-fig-tr...

A lovely comment about our recent conference; 'I had so many energising and illuminating conversations...it feels like a real community is building around these events.' Please put 16-17th March 2028 in your diaries and do get in touch if you have any ideas for speakers or topics.

Happy Christmas! We have our competition winners: www.candlestickpress.co.uk/competitions/

Thank you to The Gentian for including my poem ‘Bildr’s thorp’ in their latest Myths and Legends issue: thegentian.wordpress.com/2250-2/

Looking forward to reading at this....

Probably crossing Cemetery Road... @plsoc.bsky.social

A chance to catch another reading from the fabulous Fig Tree Coal Mining Anthology this Saturday, 1.30, at Woodhorn Museum, Ashington, Northumberland. crookedspirepress.com/coal-mining-...

IN MEMORIAM – NEW EDITION The quiet company of words – poems chosen to comfort and console. www.candlestickpress.co.uk/pamphlet/in-...

Happy ALCS Day to any writers who publish in U.K. printed journals or who've published a book in the UK (i.e. anything with an ISSN or ISBN)! And if you fall into that category of writers but don't know what I mean, google ALCS and sign up for next year's payout. You're missing out on free cash...!

And the winner is.... someone else! But nice to be in the ninth Crossing the Tees short story anthology (third time!). And share a photo with last year's winner @pennyblackburn.bsky.social @crossingthetees.bsky.social

🎧 New PAGE 94 Podcast MAD KING DONALD Ian, Helen, Andy and Richard discuss the USA entering its 'insane absolute monarch' era, the ongoing mayhem in the world's oil markets, and check in on the financial arrangements of 'Little Donald', AKA Nigel Farage. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=goeC...

A lovely and varied reading this afternoon at Garforth Library, from some of the poets featured in The Fig Tree Coal Mining Anthology. crookedspirepress.com/the-fig-tree...

youtu.be/Iv34q25EGng?... We put together a mean conference! Here’s some visual impressions from last week.

Philip Larkin, St Hilda's Street, Hull, photo by Jane Bown.

Looking forward to the Crossing the Tees Book Festival Short Story awards ceremony tomorrow night in Middlesborough @crossingthetees.bsky.social Always a friendly and enjoyable event...and my story Special Recipe has been shortlisted 🤞 www.ticketsource.co.uk/crossingthet...

Looking forward to this one, still good availability and optional add-on mini feedback sessions.

Couldn't agree more...

For World Poetry Day here's At Grass. One of my favourite Larkin poems read by @plsoc.bsky.social trustee, Julian Wilds. youtu.be/hc0UNcGVLIg?...

On World Poetry Day, here’s a reminder of the power of poetry and its potential to change the world.

University of Liverpool acquires entire archive of poet Roger McGough. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/m...

The PLS @plsoc.bsky.social again delivers a full two-days to remember at the University of Hull. Thanks to all involved in organising, presenting and attending. Roll on 2028...

What a fantastic two days at the Philip Larkin Society conference. The Glastonbury of literary conferences @plsoc.bsky.social @

Larkin Conference is finished...a fantastic 2 days @plsoc.bsky.social

The Larkin Conference is coming to a conclusion with a presentation on Larkin and AI @plsoc.bsky.social

President of the PLS opening the second day of the Philip Larkin Society Conference @plsoc.bsky.social

The Philip Larkin Society Record Club is open for business... @plsoc.bsky.social

Afternoon sessions continue at Larkin Society Conference with Istvan Racz, Douglas Bell & Andrew Palmer all with their take on Larkin's work @plsoc.bsky.social

Roger Lewis, giving a funny and entertaining talk at the start of the Larkin Society Conference afternoon session...

Larkin Conference about to get underway... @plsoc.bsky.social

The PLS 2026 Conference begins tomorrow at The University of Hull. Here’s a look back at our previous conference in 2024 youtu.be/mo0ElYLxL7g?...

Very happy yo be running a British Zuihitsu morning workshop, on Saturday 18th April: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/british-zu...

Great to lead a fun and inspiring writing workshop at the Threads exhibition in Beverley Minster yesterday evening. My thanks to all involved. Although I did lose the group at one point!! Still more events to come, and a poetry competition to enter, see: beverleyminster.org.uk/threads-even...