Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,NB Boi
Date: 23 Dec 22 - 10:44 AM

As a New Brunswicker, maybe it would be better than our current Provincial Poet Laureate, Dav Pond...

I assume most of you haven’t heard of the bathroom-destroying, haiku-writing prodigy, but he’s 14 and appointed HIMSELF Provincial Poet Laureate.

Welcome To New Brunswick, Everybody.

https://allpoetry.com/Dav_Pond

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Aug 10 - 08:33 AM

The remarkable thing is that Les Barker in Welsh would still have an audience that didn't have a single Welsh word laughing hysterically.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 09:27 AM

It would seem not.

sian

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 05:44 AM

In Welsh! Is ther no end to this man's tallent!?!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 23 Aug 10 - 05:02 AM

I've just resurfaced following the Tegeingl (teg-ENG-ul) Festival weekend in Mold, N. Wales where a good time was had by all once again.

It might be that Les was passed over for the Poet Laureate position but please note that the gentleman in question WON Tegeingl's poets' Stomp.

I'm sure many of you know how seriously the Welsh take their poetry and poets. The central prizes of our Eisteddfodau right up to National levels are for poetry, and the winners are head-line news, at least in the Welsh language press.

A Stomp is a slightly different affair. 9 invited poets - generally ones who have won a major Eisteddfod prize and/or are 'Names' in literary circles - compete in two rounds, reading their poems selected for the occasion. (Usually humourous, satirical, or comments on current events.)

Well - Les competed, in Welsh, against some pretty Big Guns of the Welsh language poetry scene and won! He's got a little model Chair to prove it - a purpose-built Chair being the traditional prize for a major poet. I've got a very poor Blackberry photo up on the trac Facebook page if you need proof.

We're dead chuffed for him! Hurrah Les. Who needs a Poet Laureate anyway?

sian

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 09:19 AM

I got an e-mail. Just! Ms Duffy has been appointed and already written a poem castigating those responsible for the credit crunch (aka recession, aka depression) and it doesn't leave many without a mention.

Swift response from the PM! still he has a lot to worry about - eh?

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 06:04 PM

Oops - just got back from a festival, so didn't see the GP thread, sorry!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 05:42 PM

G-P's Thread aboot the same thing!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 05:23 PM

I've now had an e-mail with a link to Government's response to the petition....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: r.padgett
Date: 03 May 09 - 02:35 AM

Bad luck I reckon

However what about giving him a gong of some description?

Sir Les would probably be one too many and conjure up Dame Edna's friend, maybe?

But we do need to laugh! and Les has done so much Charity work over the last 40 years to help good causes and has worked at gigs for nowt and travelled to sparsely attended folk clubs and charity events for the love of it!!

Ray

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,HelenJ
Date: 02 May 09 - 04:35 PM

Too late alas. The prize has gone to a Mancunian (or one who works in Manchester.).

Pig sick. Better luck next time but it should have been THIS TIME.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 02 May 09 - 01:41 PM

Lesby a poet!!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Emma B
Date: 02 May 09 - 06:45 AM

Well I voted for Les but.... we have the first woman (previously ruled out, according to some accounts, because Tony Blair feared her sexuality might not play well with "Middle England") and the first Scot (she was born in the 'working class' Gorbals district of Glasgow) to hold the post since its creation 341 years ago.

In an interview she said that she was looking forward to her "butt of sack" – the 600 bottles of sherry traditionally given to the poet laureate – and that she had asked for hers up front, as Motion had not yet received his :)
She likes her sherry dry.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 02 May 09 - 06:37 AM

So Carol Ann Duffy is the new Poet Laureate.

From what I've heard they've gone for the Steve McLaren option!

Les will have to put his suit back in the wardrobe, I guess!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Rob the Roadie
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 04:05 PM

Best choice by far!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Grampus
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 04:02 PM

Refresh

The deadline approaches rapidly

Deadline to sign up by: 09 April 2009

Only 779 signatures - so far. Dissappointing.


Come on, one last push before the deadline............

Click Here

G.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 06:48 AM

It is rather disappointing as LB can get that number in just one marquee at a festival - hope for a final SURGE!!!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: r.padgett
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 04:22 AM

Yes a finer man and poet you can't find

A man of the people

Ray

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Helen Jocys.
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 05:15 PM

I've just signed 'pro'. He deserves it. The man's a master of imagination and language.
More votes needed.

HelenJ.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Grampus
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 04:52 PM

BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP

Time for a BUMP as the deadline approaches

Deadline to sign up by: 09 April 2009

Only 764 signatures - so far. Dissappointing.

Click Here

G.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 05:45 PM

Les will be a guest on "BBC Three Counties Radio" this Friday 20th Feb on the afternoon show which runs between 2.00 and 4.30pm hosted by Lorna Milton. Not sure if he will be discussing the Poet Laureateship or Guidecats but he will , I would think, undoubtedly be reading some poems.

BBC Three Counties Radio.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 13 Feb 09 - 11:12 AM

Apparently Les will be appearing on Lorna Milton's afternoon radio show on BBC Three Counties Radio on Friday 20th February -the programme runs between 2.00 and 4.30, and according to the info I've received Les will be on at 1.40, so this will obviously be a clear case of deja vu!

Will put on amended time as soon as I get confirmation -I imagine it will be 2.40.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,a fan
Date: 13 Feb 09 - 09:41 AM

646 now

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Norfolk Dumpling
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 03:35 AM

The count is 584 this morning

Copy & paste to vote here

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

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Rifleman (inactive)
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 12:13 PM

I'm just envisaging HM with a corgi, of either breed, wrapped about her person, it's quite funny actually...

and Les for Poet Laureate? Yes Indeed!!!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 11:12 AM

The comment above about the Queen wering a cardigan was uncalled for.

After all, she breeds Cardigans (and Pembrokes). Perhaps she'll breed a new one for Les!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Cally, his personal nurse
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 09:34 AM

If he becomes Poet Laureate I will knit him a suit so he can be properly dressed. Something along the lines of the cardigans I thought.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 06:03 PM

Link for above post:-

Les Barker on Sunday Folk

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 06:02 PM

Les was actually on Genevieve Tudor's "Sunday Folk" on Radio Shropshire tonight talking, none too seriously of course, about the possible Laurateship. It's in the second half, available on "Listen Again".

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Grampus
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 05:00 PM

477 so far............

.........who'll be No 500?

Get signing

G.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: DG&D Dave
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 08:23 AM

I have the strange feeling that he might start with the Deck of Cards parody, the name of which escapes me.

Dave.
"When I see the Queen, I know I'm in the wrong bus queue..."

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 29 Jan 09 - 01:31 PM

According to Les's Wikipedia page, it's his birthday tomorrow.

Shall we all send him an email:-

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 09:17 AM

Hmmmnnn, can't see Les's name there?

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 09:15 AM

Me email 'ad a glitch last week but its fixed now, so I'm all aigned up!

Any more for any more?

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,danensis
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 04:53 PM

Not to mention Benjamin Zephaniah

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Anonymous Willie
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 12:08 PM

Yeah, I have voted for him, using my real name, (takes ll the fun out it...)

Mind you, the question was posed above, about a peoples poet. 30 years ago, I would have put John Cooper Clarke on that pedestal.

S.W.H.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 05:14 AM

forgot the "http", didn't I - "when will I ever learn?

http://www.bcab.org.uk

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: vectis
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 09:23 PM

Last link not working Acorn

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 04:09 AM

Clive Lever of "Guidecats" has penned this which he has asked me to post:-

Where is Les?

Everywhere I hear Pam Ayres.

Michael Rosen's poetry,

I keep hearing plenty of.



Where is he?

Not on Radio Four or three.

Won't our national radio

Play Les's poetry?



Pam's been featured on Q I,

Someone tell that Stephen Fry,

Of those cats that guide

He's overdue

For being seen on Two,

Where... where... is Les?



Why they still don't know his shy "'ello"

Is life's great mystery.



McGough is heard on Radio 4,

Ask for rhymes that you adore,

He'll play Spike I'm sure,

Macmillan too,

Andrew Motion for you,

But where ... where... is Les?



(Tune: Where is love? (Lionel Bart)





Brian Perkins does crazy things with the shipping forecast: On YouTube at:

Brian Perkins "Shipping Forecast"


And Charlotte Green poses as the Voicemail messenger from hell at:

Charlotte Green "Voicemail"

Check out the videos, get the albums at www.bcab.org.uk.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 08:42 PM

There is also now a Myspace page for "Guidecats" - fairly basic at the moment but at least up and running:-

http://www.myspace.com/guidecatsfortheblind

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Graham Bradshaw
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 09:34 AM

When this was first mooted back in the late Summer, it was met with responses like: "Great idea", but "Not much chance though".

And then I thought about it and came to the conclusion that this is not such a silly idea after all.

Assuming Les wants it, it is entirely possible.

Just think how many people know and love Les's work on the folk scene alone. It must run into several million. And then there is all the exposure he has had on mainstream radio because of the Guide Cats albums. There are a lot of very heavyweight broadcasters who think he is the dogs doodahs.

However you look at it, any other candidates are likely to be virtually unknown to most of us other then a few Radio 3 listeners.

It's about time we had The People's Poet as laureate.

I did hear somewhere that it was to be a public vote this time. Anybody know?

Whatever, if all his fans did vote, he'd walk it.

Just think of all those late night telly programmes with those up-their-own-arses arty types, and Les bringing some much needed levity to the proceedings.

Priceless.

G

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 07:02 AM

I think Les Barker should be Prime Minister..not just Poet Laureate. :0)

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 06:41 AM

I've been asked by Clive Lever of "Guidecats" to update Les's entry in Wikipedia - I've made a start on this and hope to have it finished by the end of the weekend, when I've got used to all the "bells and whistles" on Wikipedia.

If anyone else wants to contribute/edit, Wikipedia is of couses open source.

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Grampus
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 05:05 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Acorn4
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 01:01 PM

And a few ears out of joint as well one would hope!

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: r.padgett
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 09:23 AM

Good for him!!

Ray

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 08:50 AM

As a member of the aforementioned Collective, I was at Les's Ringwood gig last night. I asked him if he'd lije to be the Poet Laureate and his response was that, if chosen, he'd really enjoy putting establishment noses out of joint. (Not his exact words, but that was the gist of it!)

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 05:55 AM

I saw Les, live, for the first time last night while playing support with The Warwick Slade Collective.
He was great. I have signed and will canvass any one I know. (about 3 people)

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: Steve Hunt
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 01:21 PM

Don wrote: "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."

I, for one, would be very disappointed if he did! The idea of a genius like Les agreeing to become the official mouthpiece of the establishment, and then using his incredible talents to raise the popularity of a small cabal of powerful, un-elected aristocrats is little short of revolting IMO.

Right, now I've got that off my chest, I can go back to listening to something Bulgarian recorded for Topic by A.L. Lloyd from back in the 'good old days'...

Subject: RE: Les Barker as the next Poet Laureate?
From: r.padgett
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 10:42 AM

He cannot refuse!!

WE flippin need him, we folkies rely on him to make us laugh,

Now let the Nation in on our best kept treasure!

his material has already been used by certain celebrities

Ray