Start Date
Monday 28 July, Tuesday 29 July, Wednesday 30 July 2025, 11am - 4pm.
Overview
The Mersey Sound published in 1967 in the Penguin Modern Poets series is one of the best-selling poetry anthologies of all time having sold more than half a million copies. The names Adrian Henri, Roger McGough and Brian Patten are still defined as the Liverpool Poets. This course uses The Mersey Sound as a springboard to consider the legacy of this iconic book. We will look at the work of Liverpool poets, including Felicia Hemans, A S J Tessimond, Peter Reading, Matt Simpson, Deryn Rees-Jones, and Paul Farley as well as Henri, Patten and McGough. We will explore together whether Liverpool’s uniqueness as a city has produced a unique poetry. This course aims to introduce Liverpool poetry to participants who will explore ways in which the city itself inspires imaginative responses and new approaches in English poetry. We will devote our time to close reading of a range of poems, encouraging deep discussion and debate about the significance of our chosen poets and develop knowledge about the rich heritage of Liverpool poetry.
This course is for people interested in reading, Liverpool and the idea that art and culture is rooted in place and belongs to everyone. You do not have to write poetry to take part. You may love reading but are a bit unsure about poetry. You may love poetry but don’t think Liverpool has a claim to its own poetics. We will look at the lives and backgrounds of our chosen poets as well as examples of their work so discussion will include aspects of social history and politics as well as literature.
Syllabus
Day 1: The Mersey Sound
11am–12pm – Session 1: What was the impact of The Mersey Sound and what do we know about Adrian Henri, Roger McGough & Brian Patten?
12pm–1pm – Session 2: “When in public poetry should take off its clothes”: A close reading of Brian Patten’s Prosepoem towards a definition of itself.
1pm – 2pm – Lunch Break
2pm – 3 .30 pm – Session 3: Adrian Henri & Roger McGough: close reading & discussion of selected poems.
3.30pm – 4pm – Session 4: Discussion – Was the Mersey Sound a pop phenomenon of the sixties or is it relevant today?
Day 2: The Outliers: Felicia Hemans, A S J Tessimond & Matt Simpson
11 am – 12 pm – Session 1: Felicia Hemans lost woman poet or outdated colonialist? Close Reading of Casabianca (‘The boy stood on the burning deck…’) and The Homes of England.
12 pm – 1 pm – Session 2: A S J Tessimond: close reading of selected poems.
1pm – 2pm – Lunch Break
2pm – 4pm – Session 3: Matt Simpson: close reading of selected poems.
Day 3: The New Generation: Deryn Rees-Jones & Paul Farley
11 am – 12 pm – Session 1: Deryn Rees-Jones: close reading and discussion of selected poems.
12 pm – 1 pm – Session 2: Paul Farley: close reading of selected poems.
1pm - 2pm – Lunch Break
2pm – 4pm – Session 3: Discussion about Liverpool poetics & poets.
Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier if courses are over- or under-subscribed. In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm.
Course Lecturer: Dr Pauline Rowe
Dr Pauline Rowe was awarded her PhD in 2019 and has taught at the University of Liverpool and the University of Edge Hill. She was Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Chester (2022 – 2024). Pauline has worked in community and health settings for over 20 years encouraging and supporting people to explore their creative skills, especially through reading and writing poetry. She was the founder of North End Writers and ran the charity from 2006 to 2020. She was also the first Poet-in-Residence with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust (2013 – 2020) and the first Writer-in-Residence with Open Eye Gallery (2016 – 2019). She has 9 poetry publications and her pamphlet The Weight of Snow (Maytree Press, 2021) won a Saboteur award. She is currently Writer-in-Residence for the People of Anfield project, originally commissioned by Culture Liverpool and supported by Open Eye Gallery.
Courses fees: Full fee £210
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