Join us for the unveiling of our 211th blue plaque!
Monday 12 October. 12:00.
Booking required – free tickets.
Leeds Civic Trust is proud to honour Leeds-born poet Tony Harrison, who was born and grew up in Beeston. His poetry, on the page, stage and screen, gained international recognition.
We will be joined by Tony’s family and friends to celebrate his life and achievements and to unveil the blue plaque.
The ceremony which will be presided over by the Lord Mayor, will include reflections and poetry readings from:
- Tony’s partner, actor Sian Thomas
- Tony’s daughter Jane Harrison
- The Director of the National Poetry Centre Professor Nick Barley
- Actor Barry Rutter (founder of Northern Broadsides Theatre Company)
- Richard Burgon MP (who nominated the blue plaque)
- Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse Tom Wright
We will also be playing audio of Tony Harrison reading poems about his childhood home.
There will be an optional walk after the unveiling to visit Tony Harrison’s grave in Holbeck Cemetery, which features in his famous and controversial poem “V”
Places are limited, so please register if you would like to attend.
The unveiling will take place at the Hamara Healthy Living Centre, just across the street from the house on Tempest Road where Tony lived. Following the unveiling, the plaque will be placed on the house where he lived.
Event details:
Date: Monday 12 October
Time: The unveiling will start at 12:00
Location: Hamara Healthy Living Centre, Tempest Rd, Leeds LS11 6RD
Tickets: Tickets are free but essential. Please click here to book.
About Tony Harrison:
Tony Harrison grew up in Beeston at 120 Tempest Road and studied at Leeds University.
Leeds featured in much of Tony Harrison’s poetry – from his first book of poetry, ‘Loiners’, named after the people Leeds, to the ‘School of Eloquence’ poems about his parents, to ‘V’ set in the Holbeck Cemetery overlooking Elland Road, to ‘The Big H’ about the Leeds accent, and much more.
Leeds runs through his poetry, and that remained the case as he gained national and international recognition. His childhood home features in many of his poems.
Tony Harrison was one of the recipients of the Leeds Award, which recognises and celebrates his contribution to, and importance to, the city.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/tony-harrison
Title image: The Guardian
Black and white image: The National Portrait Gallery
