New Larkin tributes to be unveiled in adopted city

The words have been inscribed on five slate roundels that will be placed within the shadow of a 7ft bronze statue of the writer on Friday, a year to the day since it was unveiled to mark the 25th anniversary of his death.

They have been produced by sculptor Martin Jennings, who created the statue and a similar tribute Larkin’s friend and fellow poet Sir John Betjeman at St Pancras Station in London.

Each will be revealed by five people who have helped to preserve Larkin’s legacy: city MP Alan Johnson; Hull-born actor Barrie Rutter; Sarah Hartley, granddaughter of Larkin’s first publisher Jean Hartley, Prof Eddie Dawes, chairman of the Philip Larkin Society, and Betty Mackereth, Larkin’s “loaf-haired secretary” who was last year revealed as his lover.

Carole Collinson, chairman of the commissioning group, said: “The roundels complement and enhance the statue. Physically, they add to the impact of the statue and extend its compass to a wider and broader space, creating a ‘Larkin area’ of the station.

“Not only will people stop to look at the statue and have their photograph taken beside it – this happens on average every 10 minutes according to station staff - but they will linger to read the inscriptions and perhaps be inspired to go away and read more of Larkin’s poetry.”

Larkin moved to Hull in 1955 when he was appointed librarian of the city’s university, a position he held until his death.