Ruth Leon recommends…
Ruth Leon recommendsJohn Betjeman anniversary
Also worth mentioning today is that it’s 40 years since the death of British poet, writer and broadcaster, John Betjeman, who was Poet Laureate from 1972-1984.
Although born in 1906, he was temperamentally one of the last Victorians, his work almost always harking back to the past, which he considered infinitely more attractive than the present, and he championed many causes for the preservation of old buildings, stations and churches.
Here he is, reading one of his most famous poems, Norfolk, his reflections on his own lost innocence, with some delightful filmed accompaniment of his favourite English county.
Read more
Thank you – but a bit of a shame to choose a version backed by unrelated 1990s film music. What about the four albums he released with specially composed music by Jim Parker (who sadly died in July last year). “You know, I don’t like any of my poems” said Betjeman later in his life”, but I think the music did the trick.” How about “Indoor Games Near Newbury” from 1974’s Banana Blush? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB5RlMPVfjk