“No Larkin About’s aim is to change the world, one poem at a time.”
No Larkin About (NLA) is a collective of young Hull based poets who want to redefine the poetry scene in this city. Born out of a need to encourage their generation to use poetry to express themselves, this group has brought together young poets who merge exuberant language with powerful performances. Recently, they performed at Freedom Festival and this weekend you’ll have the chance to see them first hand as part of BBC Contains Strong Language.
Hull graduates are some of the founding members including Nick Conroy (2019), Johnny Moorhead (2017), Sharna Ramsden (2016/2018) and Lauren Ranson (2020) – all of whom will be performing this Friday 27th.
Meet the Graduates
Nick Conroy, a Philosophy graduate, is also the founder of a project called QR Poetry Hull where QR codes that link to poems are placed in various places around the city. The aim is to promote poetry from established, emerging and community-based poets in Hull through a physical, unique medium – QR codes. BBC Contains Strong Language is supporting this project by having the QR codes visible at every event and linking to poetry by poets performing at the festival. Nick has also published a collection of his poems via Wild Pressed Books.
Johnny Moorhead, who graduated with a Drama degree has since been working as a Guide at The Deep Aquarium where he has been a part of writing and partaking in performances for visitors. Additionally, he is a spoken word poet under the name Border Boy and has performed all around Hull as well as Freedom Festival and Croft Campsite more recently. He also has been gaining experience with Hull Truck Threatre as a Youth Theatre Assistant.
Photo by Bethany Arrowsmith-Cooper
Sharna Ramsden has a slightly different background as she studied Bsc Zoology and Msc Environmental Change leading to her working as an Environmental Scientist now. She chose to stay in Hull after her studies and joined the NLA as she was inspired by being around other poets which helps her stay connected to writing.
Lauren Ranson is a Politics student in the final year of her degree and is currently completing an internship working in a MPs office in the House of Commons. She likes to cover a range of topics with her poetry and has also performed at Freedom Festival as well as various venues around Hull. In October and December two of her poems will be released on the blog Bonnie’s Crew.
Where to see them:
This Saturday on ‘BBC Humberside Introducing’ Alan Raw will be presenting a variation of Hull’s artists including Nick Conroy, Johnny Moorhead and Lauren Ranson. You can tune in hear some of their poetry on Humberside Radio at 8pm.
To catch No Larkin About at BBC Contains Strong Language go to Hull Central Library on Friday 27th at 3-4pm. It is a FREE but ticketed event, please book here: https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/other-citywide-events/no-larkin-about/
@NoLarkinAbout
@QRPoetry_Hull
@BorderBoy
https://www.qrpoetry.com/
http://www.wildpressedbooks.com/nick-conroy.html
https://bonnieandcrew.wordpress.com/
University of Hull Alumni Association 