FOCUS ON SUNDAY'S POETRY PLEASE PROGRAMME BBC RADIO 4 - THE LATE ADRIAN MITCHELL



John Agard Fleur Adcock Wendy Cope at House of Lords ALCS summer party
 

Adrian Mitchell who came to the Billericay School in 1982 as our Poet In Residence

We enjoyed listening to POETRY PLEASE on BBC Radio 4 today particularly as many students became friends with Adrian Mitchell in the 1980s when he was invited to become the Billericay School's Writer in Residence for two years.   When I wrote this School's history around 2002 (still in print), Adrian was kind in helping me with photographs and material for that section of the book. 

 

During the early '80s. While he was closely linked to the School, students enjoyed the opportunity of working not only with him, but with the then Poet Laureate Ted Hughes, Roger McGough, Brian Patten, Alan Brownjohn, Fleur Adock (met her myself a few months ago - pic below) and many other well known poets.

 

Tim Cunningham taught English at the Billericay School from 1976 till 1996 and, even now, many former students have commented on his imaginative way with words.   His first book of poetry, entitled Don Marcelino's Daughter was published by Peterloo Poets in 2001 and since then he has published many more wonderful collections.

 

My book THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL published by Tempus Images of England is still available from The History Press £12.99  ISBN 9-7524-3083-1