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Our 'poet-in-residence' appears on Radio 4

Tim  Relf
Monday 12 July 2010 08:38

Farmers Weekly often gets calls from TV and radio shows asking if one of its journalists can appear - but it was a call with a difference that recently came in from Radio 4's Today programme.


The flagship news programme had been covering the story about polytunnels in Herefordshire and were looking for someone to write a tongue-in-cheek poem about the situation.

William Wordsworth had written about the area in the poem Tintern Abbey, so the show's producer was seeking someone to write a light-hearted poem imagining how Wordsworth would respond if he revisited the area today.

Farmers Weekly's Community and Farmlife editor, Tim Relf, volunteered and, before long, was recording the poem, which ended up being aired at 7.20am today (12 July).

"I'm no poet, but thought it would be a bit of fun," he said. 

"Personally, I'm quite in favour of the polytunnels, but tried to take an oblique take on it - imagining the problems the changed landscape might present Wordsworth in terms of finding inspiration if he re-visited the area today. The poet laureate certainly needn't fear for her job."

Listen to the poem clip from the Today show.

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