The life and works of Sir John Betjeman
Our first speaker of 2023 was Mike Temple, a John Betjeman enthusiast, who had put together an interesting talk illustrated with slides of the great poet and some of the illustrious teachers who had influenced his life.
In 1906 John Betjeman was born into a wealthy family of cabinet makers where he was originally trained to join the family business. This did not suit him so he tried teaching, which he abandoned after just 16 months then he became a journalist which eventually led him into his writing.
The family lived in Highgate where they were literally able to “look down on those less fortunate”.. A visit to the Tate Gallery at the age of six awakened the young John’s interest in the arts and from an early age he also developed an obsession with architecture. He abhorred the conformity of modern building which led to one of his most famous poems “Slough” although he admitted that it was nothing personal against this much maligned town, but a need to have a snappy, one syllable name to rhyme with “it isn’t fit for humans now.”
In 1972 John Betjeman was appointed Poet Laureate, an honour he kept until his death in 1984.
Perhaps his most famous act, though, was his campaign to save the St Pancras Hotel.
This beautiful building was scheduled for demolition but his tireless efforts saved the building and today visitors privileged to stay at the hotel can watch Eurostar departing when they look from their bedroom windows. To mark this an 8foot seven inch statue of Sir John Betjeman stands proudly outside the St Pancras Hotel.
At U3A we have speakers covering a great variety of topics on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at Enderby Civic Centre. If you would like to know more about joining us you can contact our membership secretary Anne on 07933165200 or visit our website at www.u3asites.org.uk /enderby
The life and works of Sir John Betjeman
Our first speaker of 2023 was Mike Temple, a John Betjeman enthusiast, who had put together an interesting talk illustrated with slides of the great poet and some of the illustrious teachers who had influenced his life.
In 1906 John Betjeman was born into a wealthy family of cabinet makers where he was originally trained to join the family business. This did not suit him so he tried teaching, which he abandoned after just 16 months then he became a journalist which eventually led him into his writing.
The family lived in Highgate where they were literally able to “look down on those less fortunate”.. A visit to the Tate Gallery at the age of six awakened the young John’s interest in the arts and from an early age he also developed an obsession with architecture. He abhorred the conformity of modern building which led to one of his most famous poems “Slough” although he admitted that it was nothing personal against this much maligned town, but a need to have a snappy, one syllable name to rhyme with “it isn’t fit for humans now.”
In 1972 John Betjeman was appointed Poet Laureate, an honour he kept until his death in 1984.
Perhaps his most famous act, though, was his campaign to save the St Pancras Hotel.
This beautiful building was scheduled for demolition but his tireless efforts saved the building and today visitors privileged to stay at the hotel can watch Eurostar departing when they look from their bedroom windows. To mark this an 8foot seven inch statue of Sir John Betjeman stands proudly outside the St Pancras Hotel.
At U3A we have speakers covering a great variety of topics on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at Enderby Civic Centre. If you would like to know more about joining us you can contact our membership secretary Anne on 07933165200 or visit our website at www.u3asites.org.uk /enderby