Council go-ahead for Philip Larkin statue
A life-sized bronze statue of poet Philip Larkin for the Paragon Interchange in Hull has been given the go-ahead by the city council.
Sculptor Martin Jennings has been chosen to produce the statue which will be sited on the station concourse.
Larkin, who lived in Hull for 30 years before his death in 1985, combined a celebrated writing career with his role as librarian at Hull University.
The statue, carved in black slate, will be unveiled on 2 December.
It will depict Larkin hurrying for his train 'late getting away' as he says in the first line of his poem Whitsun Weddings.
The inscription below him will read: Philip Larkin, Poet and Librarian, 1922 - 1985. That Whitsun I was late getting away.
Speaking earlier this year, Jennings, whose work includes the statue of poet Sir John Betjeman at St Pancras station in London, said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have been commissioned to make this sculpture of one of Britain's greatest poets.
"Philip Larkin found his natural home in Hull and his name will forever be linked to the city. Erecting a statute of him here will reinforce this."
The unveiling of the statue will form part of a series of commemorative events in Hull to mark the 25th anniversary of Larkin's death.