POET Simon Armitage will be reading from his latest book, Walking Home, at The Ted Hughes Theatre in Mytholmroyd – revealing the physical and emotional challenges he faced while tackling the 256 miles of the Pennine Way.
The Huddersfield writer travelled during the summer of 2010 as a ‘modern troubadour’ without a penny in his pocket, stopping at village halls, churches, pubs and people’s living rooms. As he neared the end of the trail he appeared at the Ted Hughes Theatre, which is attached to Calder High School.
On Friday, June 15, he will be offering those who missed him back in 2010 the chance to see him perform. And for those who met him along the way, there is the opportunity to find out what he wrote.
The evening of narrative, which promises to be moving and yet droll, contemplative and uplifting, is in aid of The Elmet Trust, a non-profit organisation that celebrates the life of fellow poet Ted Hughes. Simon has been patron of the trust since 2006.
When walking the Pennine Way, Simon chose to travel from North to South, from Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish border to Edale in the Peak District. Although the route is normally traversed in the opposite direction, he wanted to be walking towards the part of Yorkshire where he was born.
Tickets for the reading, which starts at 7.30pm, are £6 each, from Hebden Bridge Visitor and Canal Centre, 01422 843831.
