The Shipping Forecast at 100
In celebration of 100 years of the Shipping Forecast on our airwaves, Roger McGough is joined by Paul Farley to share the poems it has inspired.
Poetry Please celebrates 100 years on our airwaves for the Shipping Forecast, or what could also be considered that little slice of accidental nonsense poetry we get to tune into twice a day.
Roger McGough is joined by fellow poet and Liverpudlian Paul Farley to share poems inspired by, reminiscent of or relating to the Shipping Forecast. The pair chat about what makes those gale warnings and sea area names so poetic, and why the Forecast's mantra-like quality lends itself to being a muse. Featuring well-loved classics by Seamus Heaney and Carol Ann Duffy, evocative works from Sylvia Plath, AC Bevan and Wendy Cope, and a couple from Paul and Roger.
Produced by Eliza Lomas in Bristol.
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This Week's Poems
Glanmore Sonnet VII
by Seamus Heaney
From Seamus Heaney 鈥� Opened Ground 鈥� Poems 1966-1996
Published by Faber & Faber
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Prayer
by Carol Ann Duffy
From Carol Ann Duffy 鈥� Selected Poems
Published by Penguin
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Finisterre
by Sylvia Plath
From Sylvia Plath 鈥� Collected Poems
Published by Faber & Faber
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Relic
By Paul Farley
From The Ice Age
Published by Picador
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Rockall
by Michael Roberts
From Orion Marches
Published by Faber & Faber
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The Shipping Forecast
By John O'Donnell
From Sunlight: New and Selected Poems
Published by Dedalus Press
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Malin
By A C Bevan
From Of Sea-Graves & Sand Shrines
Published by Arc Publications
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The Shipping Forecast
By Roger McGough
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This Is A Low
By Blur
From Parklife
Label: Parlophone UK
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The People's Shipping Forecast
by Murray Lachlan Young听
From 麻豆社 Radio 4 - We British
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Closedown (for Alice Arnold)
By Wendy Cope
From Family Values
Published by Faber & Faber
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Broadcasts
- New Year's Day 2025 15:30麻豆社 Radio 4
- Tue 1 Jul 2025 16:00麻豆社 Radio 4