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Philip Larkin Society

@plsoc.bsky.social

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Official account for the Philip Larkin Society at PhilipLarkin.com, promoting the work of Philip Larkin.

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 29d

Fancy answering back to Larkin? Nottingham based poet Jane Bluett (She Will Allow Her Wings) will be exploring, and challenging, Larkin's poetry in our workshop at ArtLink, Princes Avenue, Hull on 11th October 2025. Search for 'Drafting A World' at www.eventbrite.co.uk to book your place.

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 19h

'Swerving east,' on the train from Sheffield to Hull this morning, the Humber Bridge looking as splendid as ever.

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 2d

The Times (4/10/25) on the new Archbishop of Canterbury: concluding churches are 'precious places which offer opportunities for consolation, reflection and reverence of the kind so beautifully described by Larkin, "A serious house on serious earth it is ... And that much never can be obsolete".

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 3d

A few places still available for the walking and writing event this Saturday at the Avenues and Pearson Park- please come along and join Lyn and Jane. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1625283579...

'Drafting a world': A Poetry Writing Workshop in Hull

A creative exploration of the world and poetry of Philip Larkin.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 3d

‘I stopped at Wawne & poked about in the churchyard, turning up chestnuts in the grass, & noting George Beulah, who had outlived two wives before dying in 1909. All three have identical tall stones.’ Philip Larkin to Monica Jones, 23 October 1962

Reposted by Philip Larkin Society

Stage4Beverley @stage4beverley.bsky.social · 8d

It's National Poetry Day, and if you're into all things literary then there's lots to look forward to at our next festival - including the UK's Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, local favourite Chris Sewart, and one more special guest to be announced tomorrow - any guesses?

stage4beverley.com/line-up/

Chris Sewart, a man wearing glasses and a short-sleeved shirt. He is standing in front of a painting of some poppies and he has his arms crossed.

Simon Armitage - a man wearing a burgundy coloured shirt, with grey hair. He is sat in front of a bookshelf and he's looking towards us thoughtfully.

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 8d

#NationalPoetryDay this year's theme is 'play'

And dark-clothed children at play
Called after kings and queens,
The tin advertisements
For cocoa and twist, and the pubs
Wide open all day;

MCMXIV, 1964

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 8d

Two great E Yorks poets in one post here.

Curiosity @curiosityhull.bsky.social · 8d

Who Is Douglas Dunn?

Hull poet and bon vivant @deanwilson.bsky.social heads just off Bev Road to outline why Terry Street holds a unique place in the poetic pantheon.

Supplementals: tinyurl.com/yc2stc29

@hulllibraries.bsky.social
@uniofhull.bsky.social
@plsoc.bsky.social

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 8d

Please enjoy this wonderful piece about Larkin by @zoomburst.substack.com

Mike O’Brien @zoomburst.substack.com · 11d

Of course I love #Larkin. I'm From #Hull, and Larkin is as Hull as Dean Windass, pattie and chips, the plotting parlour in Ye Olde White Harte and Reckitt's chimney. Despite the fact that he was a librarian from Coventry. #Poetry #hcafc

2.43 Philip Larkin, The Wordsworth of Deprivation

Kingston upon Hull, swearing and unhappiness as components of great poetry.

zoomburst.substack.com

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 10d

This empty street, this sky to blandness scoured,
This air, a little indistinct with autumn
Like a reflection, constitute the present-

(Triple Time, from The Less Deceived)

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 10d

Philip Larkin features in this lovely musical and poetic reflection on morning time.

www.frontporchrepublic.com/2025/09/a-li...

A Little Time in Quiet: Songs About the Morning - Front Porch Republic

We’re listening to songs about my favorite time of day, morning, this week on A Symposium of Popular Songs. Accordingly, it’s a pretty mellow episode. Send recommendations my way at symposiumofsongs@g...

www.frontporchrepublic.com

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 11d

'...one never gets any better at writing: never has any idea of how the thing is done, not like making a window frame or seducing women. Or at least I don't.'
(Letter to Douglas Dunn, 15 September 1972)

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 12d

It certainly did!

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 12d

It's a stock image but it certainly could have been PAL! The character of Kemp was not meant to be autobiographical in personality or appearance, although some events came from Larkin's own experiences, such as the bombing of Coventry.

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 12d

John Kemp starts his frst term at Oxford in Larkin's novel, Jill, set in 1940, published in 1946. Jill will be one of the topics of the PLS Conference 2026 March 19-20th.

'His whole appearance lacked luxuriance. Only his silky hair, soft as a seeding thistle, gave him an air of beauty.'

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 13d

Today #Railway200 celebrates 200 years of the modern rail service. Larkin travels by train in I Remember, I Remember, Dockery and Son and, of course, The Whitsun Weddings

All afternoon, through the tall heat that slept
For miles inland,
A slow and stopping curve southwards we kept.

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 16d

I listen to money singing. It’s like looking down
From long french windows at a provincial town,
The slums, the canal, the churches ornate and mad
In the evening sun. It is intensely sad.
( From Money, 1974)

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 17d

Fascinating post on music and memory, as well as Philip Larkin's Mr Bleaney, by former guest of our podcast Tiny In All That Air.
robinallender.substack.com/p/are-you-go...

Are you going with me?

A few thoughts on repetition, repetition, repetition in songs, which then led me onto a few other thoughts about Cass McCombs, Philip Larkin and Alan Partridge

robinallender.substack.com

Reposted by Philip Larkin Society

Scytheplays Ltd @scytheplaysltd.bsky.social · Sep 2

On Saturday 20th September Together in Electric Dreams will be appearing in a double-bill with Philip Larkin: Masterspy at Billingtons Oldham!

Book to see both and you'll get a full afternoon's entertainment at a discount rate! Tickets www.fatsoma.com/.../together....

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 18d

Happy Birthday to Honorary Vice President of the PLS, #NickCave

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 20d

Yes it's on here - Dry Point- thank you for your time with this, the readings are fantastic!

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 20d

Yes,The Less Deceived full reading is here, please enjoy The Less Deceived full reading…–Tiny In All That Air – Apple Podcasts share.google/QCjtZ0Mj5883...

The Less Deceived full reading for Larkin's birthday

Podcast Episode · Tiny In All That Air · 09/08/2025 · 1h 34m

share.google

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 21d

Congratulations to Philip Larkin fan @cmatbaby.bsky.social with her Mercury Music Awards nomination.

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 21d

Looking for some weekend reading? Our Honorary Vice Presidents Nick Cave, Ann Thwaite, Stewart Lee and David Quantick can help with that.

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 21d

Our writing event around the Avenues and Pearson Park next month is based at ArtLink. Have a look at all the fantastic community projects that they run. Search for the PLS on Eventbrite for details of the workshop on 11th October- a few places still available.

www.artlinkhull.co.uk

Artlink Hull

www.artlinkhull.co.uk

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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 26d

Now I believe your staggering skirmishes
In train, tutorial and telephone booth,
The wife whose husband watched away matches
While she behaved so badly in a bath,
And all the rest who beckon from that world
Described on Sundays only...
(Letter to A Friend About Girls, began 1957, completed 1970)

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