A poem read by Prince Charles will air on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday (06.10.16).
The 67-year-old prince has recorded a recital of Seamus Heaney’s ‘The Shopping Forecast’ and the minute-long clip will play on the ‘Today’ programme in celebration of National Poetry Day.
And the recording will also feature at the new Seamus Heaney HomePlace centre in Northern Ireland, which showcases the life and work of the late poet.
This year’s National Poetry Day is themed around Messages and people are being encouraged to "say it with a poem", with a host of major organisations taking part in the initiative.
National Poetry Day director Susannah Herbert said: "A poem can reach places that prose just can’t.
"That’s why we’re inviting all with anything important to say today to say it with a poem. It can be new or old, utterly original or a familiar favourite.
"It can be deep and dark, funny or memorable. By enjoying, discovering or sharing a poem – words that draw attention to themselves – you change the nature of the national conversation."
Channel 4 will air poems by young refugees and migrants in place of their usual short video introductions before each programme, while 40 local BBC radio stations will broadcast a verse commissioned by a poet who hails from their area.
The Royal Mail will be postmarking items specially for the day, while poetry-themed tickets will be given out at London’s St. Pancras International Station.
And poet storytellers will also be performing at the station throughout the day.
‘Good Fortune’ singer PJ Harvey is to work with young poetry producers, who will be curating readings, films, performances and workshops at an event facilitated by The Poetry Society and the Southbank Centre.
In Wales, four poets will try to compose 100 new pieces in 24 hours, based on subjects chosen by the public.
Celebrations in Wales will see four aspiring poets trying to compose 100 new poems in 24 hours, with their subject matter chosen by the public.
National Poetry Day is organised by the Forward Arts Foundation charity.
Prince Charles records poem
