Renowned York-based poet Pete Morgan (photograph by Kippa Matthews) has agreed to headline a fundraiser in aid of York Literature Festival.

“There are famous poets of my generation and younger who have no idea of the debt they owe to Pete Morgan. His poems are dramatic, formally superb, funny, toughly tender, lyrical and never less than entertaining. Ted Hughes was a fan of his.” -  CAROL ANN DUFFY

Pete Morgan, a professional poet, was born in 1939 in Leigh, Lancashire, and now lives in York.  At 16, he was living alone in London �" sticking his anonymous poems to the trees on Hampstead Heath. Two years later, he was serving as an infantry platoon commander in West Germany. In 1964, he became a pacifist and resigned his commission. He moved to Edinburgh and began to publish his poems and give public readings. His collections include The Grey Mare Being the Better Steed (1973),  The Spring Collection (1979), One Greek Alphabet (1980), A Winter Visitor (1983) and 'August Light' (2009). 

The event will take place on National Poetry Day, October 8th, and will be at the Bar Convent, Micklegate, York.

The evening will start at 7.30 p.m. and finish at 9.30 p.m.

Tickets priced £10.00 are on sale now from the Bar Convent in York. Telephone : 01904 643238 or email : reception@bar-convent.org.uk

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A full supporting line-up includes prize-winning and published York writers, including Oz Hardwick, Dave Gough, Rose Drew, Pauline Kirk, Lizzi Linklater, Catherine Heinemeyer, Andy Humphrey and Alison Yates.

The night will raise funds for the 2010 York Literature Festival, following City of York Council's decision in August not to be involved in the annual event. A voluntary group has been set up to guide the festival and ensure it continues.

Miles Salter, festival manager on behalf of the Voluntary Group, said : 'I'm sure lots of people will want to hear Pete Morgan read his work, and support the festival at the same time. Pete's gig at the University of York in May with Ian McMillan and Carol Ann Duffy was sold out, so I am confident that this event will be very popular.'

A licensed bar will be open during the evening. 

If you would like to be a patron of York Literature Festival,  or know somebody who might, please contact Miles Salter by emailing : milesinyork@hotmail.com or phone : 01904 629299.

Many thanks for your support, hope to see you on October 8th.