Beloved poet, broadcaster and performer Ian McMillan launches his moving and inventive new collection Red River Valley.

Drawing on family life, everyday absurdities and the impact of austerity on the South Yorkshire village where he has lived all his life, Ian creates poems that are funny, poignant and full of humanity.

Renowned for his warmth, wit and extraordinary live readings, he brings language vividly to life on the page and on stage. Join one of Britain’s most treasured poets for a celebration of storytelling, community and the power of words.

‘World-class – one of today’s greatest poetry performers.’ Carol Ann Duffy

Hosted by Becky Swain.

Co-presented with Manchester Poetry Library at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Ian McMillan was born in Barnsley. He published his first Carcanet book of poems, The Changing Problem, in 1980. His collections include Selected Poems (a Poetry Book Society Recommendation), I Found this Shirt and To Fold the Evening Star. He has hosted The Verb, BBC Radio 4’s arts programme since 2002, and been Barnsley Football Club’s poet-in-residence and Yorkshire TV’s Investigative Poet.

Location: Manchester Central Library