TV show celebrates Mersey Poets

Aug 1 2007 by Philip Key, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool poets Brian Patten, Adrian Henri and Roger McGough, known as the Mersey Poets _320

THE Mersey Poets are to be given the Melvin Bragg treatment in an ITV South Bank Show.

A programme due to be broadcast in October will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Penguin edition of the Mersey Poets.

Poems by Liverpool poets Roger McGough, Brian Patten and Adrian Henri became one of the best-selling poetry books in Britain in 1967.

The collection is now being re-published by Penguin and expected to be another big seller.

Meanwhile, the Liverpool poets themselves – McGough and Patten – are heading off around the UK to perform their works. Henri, the only poet who remained in Liverpool and reviewed arts exhibitions for the Liverpool Daily Post, alas, died.

But his work will also be included the tour and in the ITV programme.

Organisers of the South Bank show want Liverpool people to contribute to the programme.

“There were people who went to hear them at Hope Hall and in London Road,” says researcher Simon Lloyd.

“These were people who were there at the start and their experiences would be wonderful to hear.

“We would also like to hear from Liverpool people who recall the Mersey Sound collection coming out for the first time in 1967.”

Anyone who remembers these moments – and fancies appearing on the telly – can contact researcher Simon Lloyd on 020 7737 8379.