Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 07:19 AM

I'm attaching part of an email I got from Clive Lever yesterday.

Clive was the moving force behind the "Guide Cats for the Blind" CD project, which featured a range of Les's poetry on 3 albums.

It's just about getting Les's poems more widely known to the general public.


"I think there's more to the manifesto for this political party than calling for Les to be made poet laureate. Perhaps we can try to make the following happen, by emailing some of these ideas to all those who may be visiting the website to sign up to such a campaign:

* all petitioners who sign up to write individually and without reference to any other petitioner, to BBC Radio 4's Poetry Please, asking for their favourite Les Barker poem to be featured on the programme. Note though that care must be taken as to how this is done, as they are likely to shy away from anything if they think there's an organised campaign, so we need to fool them into thinking that each person who writes has nothing to do with the rest...so no references to the petition, no standard letters.
* Pat Tynan has put up Brian Perkins' Shipping forecast on Youtube, and today uploaded Charlotte Green's Voicemail."

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Dave MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 07:51 PM

I wouldn't wish being Poet Laureate on my worst enemy.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 07:44 PM

Well, Br, I don't think Derek will be singing on Thursday without his shorts on.... it might upset Mrs Admiral Pearl. Apologies for thread drift, though I suspect Les Barker would find a suitable poem for the occasion.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 07:35 PM

Sorry, but he CANNOT decline !" Noblesse Oblige," don't you know ??

      PS....Karen & I are looking forward to seeing and hearing you both at Knowle Hill on Thursday next--Will Derek be wearing shorts (OOOHH !) despite the weather ??

                   Nick E Nackinou

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 07:28 PM

I have signed it. I see that Tom Bliss has signed with the caveat "If he wants it"! Lots of signatory names that I recognise.....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 07:24 PM

Knowing Les, he would provide the necessary touch of humour and humanity, to bring the royals back into the public's heart, where they belong.

A national institution saved by a national institution. How bad can that be?

Go Les
Don T.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 07:13 PM

I guess I'll sign it too, but has anyone thought of asking Les whether he wants to be nominated............? He may have similar views (on having to provide poems to mark national occasions) as Wendy Cope.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: mandotim
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 07:06 PM

I'm in.
Tim

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 04:32 PM

I rather hope that he'd 'do a Larkin' and decline it, if offered...

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,flying cat
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 04:24 PM

me too,love, moira

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 03:09 PM

Fab idea, I'm in!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,danensis
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 02:37 PM

Perhaps the Queen would wear a cardigan so he felt at home

John

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 02:34 PM

I have voted for LB also,if only because we shall never see the like of John Masefield or John Betjeman in these talentless, dumbed-down times again-----besides which,LB is VERY talented,and VERY funny, although why some of you have to get on your high horses about the possibility of a Poet Laureate enjoying fine wines,or wearing a Smoking Jacket ,is beyond me ! ---Are you STILL riddled with class angst, or what ??What if Les Barker wore a smoking-jacket and drank Champagne ?? Would you lynch him for it ?? HA !! Morons !!Plebs !!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Wild Flying Dove
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 01:51 PM

I just love the idea so I've voted!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Ian
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 01:42 PM

The poet Laureate has been Andrew Motion, Ted Hughes, John Betjemen (is that spelt correctly?)

All of whom have an air of smoking jackets, receptions at Sandringham and quaffing Chateau Lorionde 87.

That bugger has an air of chasing my ex wife around a stage brandishing a cucumber and leaving dog hairs in our spare bed. (1981.)

Ok, I'll vote for him.

Incidentally, comedy and parody apart, his work does deserve better recognition from the establishment. "Will you walk with me" and "Candlelight and Wine" are stunning pieces of work...

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 01:02 PM

Is a crate of malmsey (or is it sac?) wise in his condition? Still it is only one crate for the whole stint (not sure how big) - which is how many years?

A small point but some have signed as a couple.
It would count per person if signed indivually, but not (Knowing how petitions work) if signed jointly.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Grampus
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 12:41 PM

I've signed too, but it'll need a lot more.

GET SIGNING !!!

Click Here

G.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: r.padgett
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 06:10 AM

Done

Maybe we will through Les get a higher profile for poetry in general for the masses and the folky people!

Ray

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 06:05 AM

We played a support slot for LB on Saturday for a "GuideCats" gig, and he was in fine form.

Does it mean that he'll have to put on a suit and meet the Queen though?

Maybe they could arrange for a Mrs Ackroyd reunion to do the "Bohemian Rhapsody" parody.

All signed and I'm circulating every one on my mailing list.

The Warwick Slade Collective sounds good - I've always wanted to promote Messrs Lea and Holder as contributors to the folk tradition -not so daft as it sounds "My oh My" is based on a folk tune!

Dave T

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 05:37 AM

Just signed it. Les is appearing at Ringwood Folk Club tomorrow evening, Tuesday 13th, with the Warwick Slade Collective as the support act.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: mouldy
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 05:09 AM

All done.
Les for Laureate!

Andrea

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Dead Horse
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 02:08 AM

Good lord NO.
The poor bugger has enough to contend with being a folk idol :-)

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Geordie-Peorgie (nee fl*ppin' cookie again!!
Date: 11 Jan 09 - 08:22 PM

Aah'm in an' aah've e-mailed it all ower the world

Aah hope yez are aall deein' the same

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Snuffy
Date: 11 Jan 09 - 07:54 PM

John J, Betsy (and maybe others)

Your names won't show up on the petition until you open the Government email and click on the link to confirm that you've signed.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: John J
Date: 11 Jan 09 - 07:33 PM

Done.

JJ

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: MaineDog
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 08:06 PM

To be fair I must claim the above post signed "Woof"
MD

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 07:56 PM

Andrew Motion finishes his stint This Year Mo !

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 07:50 PM

Sorry I'm from the wrong side of the pond, and, being long legged, I can climb those stairs anyway :)!
Woof!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Betsy
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 07:34 PM

Done

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 05:06 PM

What's happened to the last/present one then? Is there a vacancy?

Subject: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Poet's Day
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 04:59 PM

Sign the Number 10 petition if you think Les should hold this position...

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/LesBarkerPoet/