UK’s National Poetry Day launched this morning with a radio broadcast of a new recording of Seamus Heaney's poem 'The Shipping Forecast' read by The Prince of Wales
Hitting the airwaves on BBC Radio 4's Today this morning, Prince Charles' recording was made for the newly opened literary centre Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Co Derry, which is dedicated to the late Nobel Laureate.
The prince's voice will be heard by visitors to the centre, which last week celebrated opening its doors with a weekend of festivities entitled ‘The Nib Uncapped’, which saw a venerable smorgasbord of literature, music, theatre, poetry, song, reading and talks.
Heaney was a regular teacher at the annual Summer School run by The Prince’s Teaching Institute’s (PTI) – and consequently became a firm favourite of the next in line to the English throne.
HomePlace has been developed by Mid Ulster District Council, who are understandably chuffed to receive the royal approval. Chair, Councillor Trevor Wilson, said: “To have a contribution from Prince Charles is testament to the esteem in which Seamus Heaney was held and the great influence of his work. This is a wonderful addition to our exhibition and when better to announce it than on National Poetry Day when we celebrate writing and our great writers”.