On 14^th February 2014, Professor Janet Wilson, Director of Research at the University of Northampton School of the Arts, CoHaB representative and Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Studies Network (NZSN) celebrated with fellow authors and members of the NZSN, the eightieth birthday of internationally renowned New Zealand poet, Fleur Adcock.

Rod Edmond speaking at the Festschrift
(Photo: Larissa Allwork)

At Birkbeck College, University of London, amidst paintings by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant in the former library of J.M. Keynes, Wilson and Chair of the NZSN, Professor Rod Edmond (University of Kent) spoke affectionately of Fleur and launched a Festschrift of poetry and prose specially compiled to mark her extraordinary contribution to literature.

Fleur Adcock in the Keynes Library
(Photo: Larissa Allwork)

Among the many distinguished poets and writers, authors who contributed to this special birthday collection were Dannie Abse, Wendy Cope, Marilyn Duckworth, Kevin Ireland, Michael Longley, Bill Manhire, Lorraine Mariner, Andrew Motion, Julian Stannard,  Anne Stevenson and Gillian Whitehead.

To listen to the speeches by Professor Rod Edmond and Professor Janet Wilson and to hear Fleur Adcock’s words of thanks, please use the player below or download the MP3 (11mb).

The Keynes Library
(Photo: Larissa Allwork)