John Betjeman

Sir John Betjeman was one of the best-known and loved Poet Laureates. Even after his death, his popularity continues to garner acclaim and new admirers. Fortunately, he left behind a legacy of poetry readings and performances in the BBC archives that can be enjoyed in this comprehensive collection.

Selected from over thirty years of radio and television programmes, this compilation includes the very best of his performances and the most popular of his poems, among them 'Metro-land'; 'A Subaltern's Lovesong'; 'Diary of a Church Mouse'; 'In a Bath Teashop'; 'Pot Pourri from a Surrey Garden'; 'Youth and Age on Beaulieu River'; 'Trebetherick'; 'Myfanwy at Oxford'; 'Back from Australia' and 'Death at Leamington'.

Sir John Betjeman's unique relationship with the BBC left a lasting legacy of poetry, readings and performances. A First Class Collection features a selection of some of his most memorable and best-loved poetry.

Betjeman was one of the best-known and loved Poet Laureates and over a hundred years after his birth he continues to attract acclaim and admiration. Some of his fascinating BBC Archive recordings can be enjoyed again in this specially selected collection of poetry. A First Class Collection includes the poet's own readings of some of his most popular works, introduced by Andrew Motion, as well as readings specially commissioned for BBC Radio 4's Poetry Please and exclusive readings from actors Derek Jacobi, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Fry, Susan Jameson and Samuel West.

In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, John Betjeman (Poet Laureate 1972) talks about his life and career as one of the foremost poets of the 20th Century. 

The interviews included are:

Asian Club, broadcast on BBC Radio, 7 July 1959 (featuring Arthur Russell and studio audience);

People of Today, broadcast on BBC Radio, 24 December 1959 (featuring Irene Slade);

Omnibus, broadcast on BBC TV, 5 November 1972 (featuring unnamed interviewer);

Parkinson, broadcast on BBC TV, 17 February 1973 (featuring Michael Parkinson);

Desert Island Discs, broadcast on BBC Radio, 12 April 1975 (featuring Roy Plomley);

Parkinson, broadcast on BBC TV, 5 November 1977 (featuring Michael Parkinson);

John Betjeman: A Tribute, broadcast on BBC TV, 5 June 1984 (featuring unnamed interviewers);

Time Enough! Or Not Enough Time, broadcast on BBC TV, 8 May 1994 (featuring Jonathan Steadall). 

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

'For myself/ I knew as soon as I could read and write/ That I must be a poet. Even today,/ When all the way from Cambridge comes a wind/ To blow the lamps out every time they're lit/ I know that I must light mine up again.'

From his earliest boyhood memories of Highgate and Archibald, his old stuffed bear, through to his undergraduate years at Oxford and his early career, John Betjeman's unique narrative style poignantly describes the pains and pleasures of growing up. In the much-loved tones of Sir John himself, this magnificent autobiography in verse captures the voice of the late Poet Laureate.