The work of one of Gloucestershire’s most admired and best-known poets will be celebrated in Cheltenham on 26th April.
'A Tribute to UA Fanthorpe', organised by Cheltenham Poetry Festival and Cheltenham Ladies' College, will feature readings of the writer’s work and tributes from poets, students and friends who knew her or have been inspired by her.
Fanthorpe, who died in 2009, was the author of nine full-length collections and a one-time Head of English at College.
“Her former pupils speak of her with deep fondness and admiration, having clearly enjoyed her company and her teaching,” says Principal Eve Jardine-Young.
“Fanthorpe is one of those cherished writers who endure because the resonance of their language still feels vital, honest, timeless and accessible in ways that the heart instantly recognises. The chance to share the joy and fellowship of celebrating a writer with others is always cherished by our pupils, who will love the chance to hear new perspectives, as well as to contribute to the session.
“It’s easy to forget how vivid, intense and visceral one’s feelings are during adolescence - poetry can provide lean, agile and satisfying combinations of directness and ambiguity, structure and rule-breaking, passion and pain that can really suit the tumble-drier of the teenage years.
"As Cheltenham has grown around us over the past 170 years, we find ourselves at the very centre – physically as well as culturally – of a wonderful town that has the excitement, spontaneity and energy of festivals in its blood!”
Angela France, one of the readers at the event and a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Gloucestershire, says it’s Fanthorpe’s “range and humanity” she most admires.
“Her poems may be serious and moving, light, funny, satirical – but always with a sense of deep compassion for the human condition. U.A.’s range is so vast, there is something for every reader and every mood. Among my favourites, however, are Fanfare, Women Laughing, Rising Damp and Strong Language in South Gloucestershire.
“I definitely think of her as a Gloucestershire poet,” adds Angela. “While she was born and worked elsewhere, she taught at the College and lived, until her death, for many years in Wotton-under-Edge with Rosie Bailey, her life partner of 44 years. It will be lovely to hear so many of U.A.’s poems together. Poetry, after all, is meant to be read aloud and heard.”
Anna Saunders, chief executive of the Cheltenham Poetry Festival, says: “Fanthorpe is still loved the world over for her for her warm, witty and wise writing. Her connections with Gloucestershire ran deep and her 2006 collection, Homing in, Selected Local Poems, very much celebrates our beautiful county.”
The event, which takes place at 7.30pm at Francis Close Hall Chapel at the University of Gloucester, is one of a 10-day program of exciting live literature events lined up for this spring as part of the Cheltenham Poetry Festival. “We also celebrate the power of words throughout the year at readings, performances and workshops,” says Anna.
For more information and to book tickets, go to cheltenhampoetryfestival.co.uk