On Monday 12 October, members of the Leeds arts and culture community, Leeds Civic Trust members, and locals from Beeston gathered to celebrate a Leeds literary giant.
Our 211th blue plaque was unveiled to honour Tony Harrison, ‘wide-ranging and category-defying poet of page, theatre and screen.’
The plaque was nominated by Richard Burgon MP, a lifelong fan and parliamentary advocate of Harrison’s work. In 2020, Richard led an Early Day Motion in support of Harrison, who had “always written and spoken for the people”, to set right the historic disdain from parliamentarians towards the bard of Beeston’s bold and unapologetic writing.
In 1987, a group of 121 MPs supported a motion to ban Harrison’s poem ‘V’ from being broadcast on television. The group was led by Conservative MP, Sir Gerald Howarth, who slated the poem as a “television obscenity”. Clutching her pearls, the notorious advocate of social conservatism, Mary Whitehouse, called the poem “a work of singular nastiness”. It is fitting then, that after our plaque unveiling, we walked up to Holbeck Cemetery, where Harrison is buried in the family plot that provides the subject for his radical rhapsody.
A Word From the PM
But Harrison’s parliamentary recognition as a writer “fit to be ranked alongside the work of Aeschylus and Shelley” did not stop at the 2020 Early Day Motion. Prime Minister Andy Burnham wrote to us in advance of the plaque unveiling, thanking us for our work on the plaque:
“I am so sorry I can’t be with you all today due to the need to be in Parliament to make a statement. And, anyway, it’s Tony’s fault – as there is no way I would be in this job in the first place were it not for him and the effect he has had on my life!
This blue plaque marks the setting for what I believe to be some of the most powerful poems ever written in the English language. Beautiful poems like Bookends capture for eternity the raw emotion of the conversations that once echoed around this house and all of the complexity about class that so many of us feel.
It was under this roof that the finest voice in modern English literature was forged and it is therefore completely fitting that this address will forever be adorned in this way. Thank you to Tony’s family and friends and everyone from the Leeds Civic Trust who made it happen.”
Hearts and Minds, Fans and Family
The unveiling was opened by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Stephen Holroyd, who introduced an illustrious run of guest speakers. Professor John Whale, Director of the University of Leeds Poetry Centre (2017-2025), reflected on Harrison’s legacy in a distinguished lineage of poets from the University of Leeds. It was evident to the audience how deeply felt Professor Whale’s words were by the passion in his voice.
Tom Wright, the new Artistic Director at Leeds Playhouse, told our audience about Harrison’s Greek plays. Classics and translations of Greek plays were a huge part of Tony’s genre-defying literary output. Tony was keen on not making his translations seem too polite, and sought to bring a range of voices and characters to classical works.
Professor Nick Barley, Director of the new National Poetry Centre, saw the plaque as a step towards increasing the profile of poetry, locally. Nick said the blue plaque will act as a signpost for local people to learn more about how rich Leeds is in the poetic landscape, helping more local people connect to the spirit of the new National Poetry Centre.
Jane Harrison, Tony’s daughter spoke about Tony as a father and her fond memories of visiting 120 Tempest Road to see her grandparents.
Barrie Rutter, actor and founder of Northern Broadsides Theatre Company, together with Siân Thomas, actor and Tony Harrison’s partner of 36 years, recited some of Harrison’s poetry.
We concluded with a recording of Harrison himself reading his poem, Long Distance II. Drawing the ceremony to a close, it was poignant to hear the voice of the maverick who inspired so many.
The plaque was unveiled by Jane Harrison, Siân Thomas and Richard Burgon.
The plaque’s wording is ‘Tony Harrison. Wide-ranging and category-defying poet of page, theatre and screen grew up in this house 1937-1961. His works spanned Leeds-rooted poems, vibrant translations of classics, opera, original plays, films and film-poems. He is buried in the family grave in Holbeck Cemetery. 1937-2025’
We are grateful to the funders of the plaque, Richard Burgon MP, Jane Harrison, Sian Thomas, Barrie Rutter and Professor Edith Hall.
From Cradle to Grave
After rounds of photographs, our troop walked up to 120 Tempest Road, Tony’s childhood home, just a stone’s throw from the Hamara Centre where the unveiling ceremony took place. Sian read Tony’s poem, Clearing, and the family reminisced about time spent here.
We continued on another short walk up to Holbeck Cemetery through Cross Flatts Park, to the Harrison family plot made famous by ‘V’. An apple from the family home’s apple tree was laid on the grave, along with a Leeds United scarf, cushioning the plaque, and a bouquet of sparkling white Yorkshire roses illuminating the headstone among the autumn brash.
Amy Sutcliffe, Communications and Membership Officer & Ross Horsley, Office Administrator
