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Simon Armitage and Lemn Sissay

Jason Mohammad chats to Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, about poetry during the Pandemic. And Lemn Sissay shares the work he does supporting care leavers at Christmas.

Simon Armitage became the Poet Laureate in 2019. Earlier this year he wrote a poem to mark the Pandemic and said that the art can be consoling at times of crisis. In this interview with Jason Mohammad he explains why, since Lockdown, he feels there has been a resurgence in a passion for poetry.

Plus Simon reflects on his childhood as a chorister, celebrates the choral tradition of northern England and shares a passion for The Smiths with Jason.

Plus fellow poet Lemn Sissay discusses his work supporting care leavers at Christmas, making sure young people who've recently left care, have a Christmas dinner, gifts and handmade quilts at Christmas. As Lemn says, it's not that these young people wouldn't survive without the efforts of this project, it's about love. With more lessons from 2020 and a cracking soundtrack Jason helps keep the festive spirits up.

Producer: Hilary Robinson

2 hours, 55 minutes

Last on

Sun 27 Dec 2020 06:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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Good Morning Christmas

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Welcoming 2021 with Philippa Perry

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Music Played

  • Quincy Jones

    Ai No Corrida (feat. Dune)

    • Hits Of 1981 & 1982 (Various Artists.
    • Polydor.

  • Liam Gallagher

    All You're Dreaming Of

    • (CD Single).
    • Warner Bros.

  • Dolly Parton

    We Three Kings

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ For Christmas.
    • Columbia.
    • 7.

  • Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

    Shallow

    • A Star Is Born O.S.T..
    • Interscope.

  • Fleet Foxes

    White Winter Hymnal

    • Fleet Foxes.
    • Bella Union.
    • 1.

  • Mica Paris

    Amazing Grace

  • Madonna

    Borderline

    • Celebration.
    • Warner Bros.
    • 14.

  • Bruce Springsteen

    The Power Of Prayer

    • Letter To You.
    • Columbia.

  • James Morrison

    Wonderful World

    • (CD Single).
    • Polydor.

  • Becky Hill

    Forever Young

    • (CD Single).
    • Polydor.

  • Mr. Mister

    Broken Wings

    • NOW That's What I Call Power Ballads: Total Eclipse of the Heart (Various Artis.
    • NOW.

  • The Beatles

    Paperback Writer

    • The Beatles - 1.
    • Apple.
    • 014.

  • Gwen Stefani

    Let Me Reintroduce Myself

    • (CD Single).
    • Interscope Records.

  • Faith Hill

    This Kiss

    • New Hits 99 (Various Artists).
    • Global Television.

  • Travis

    Flowers In The Window

    • (CD Single).
    • Independiente.

  • The Associates

    Party Fears Two

    • Generation 80's (Various Artists).
    • Ocho/Union Square.

  • Josh Groban

    Your Face

    • Harmony.
    • Reprise Records.

  • Michael BublΓ©

    Nobody But Me

    • (CD Single).
    • Reprise.

  • Griff

    Love Is A Compass

    • (CD Single).
    • Warner Music.

  • Bruno Mars

    Just The Way You Are

    • Now That's What I Call Music 77 (Various Artists).
    • Now.

  • Doves

    Cathedrals Of The Mind

    • The Universal Want.
    • EMI/Heavenly Recordings.
    • 5.

  • Cher

    If I Could Turn Back Time

    • Cher - The Greatest Hits.
    • WEA/Universal.

  • Don Henley

    The Boys Of Summer

    • The Very Best Of.
    • MCA.

  • Ava Max

    My Head & My Heart

    • Heaven & Hell.
    • Atlantic.

  • The Waterboys

    The Whole of the Moon

    • Now 1991 - The Millennium Series.
    • Now.

  • The Smiths

    Reel Around The Fountain

    • What Difference Does It Make.
    • WEA.
    • 3.

  • Brian Houston

    Ain't No Place Like Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

  • Neil Diamond

    Heartlight

    • Classic Diamonds.
    • Capitol Records.

  • Gavin Thorpe

    From Now On

    • Talk Club EP.
    • Distiller Records.

Broadcast

  • Sun 27 Dec 2020 06:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2