Sir John Betjeman's unique relationship with the BBC left a lasting legacy of poetry, readings and performances. To celebrate the centenary of his birth A First Class Collection features a selection of some of his most memorable and best-loved poetry.

 

Sir John Betjeman was one of the best-known and loved Poet Laureates and even a hundred years after his birth he continues to attract acclaim and admiration.

Some of his fascinating BBC Archive recordings can be enjoyed again in this specially selected collection of poetry. A First Class Collection features the poet's own readings of some of his most popular works, as well as readings specially commissioned for BBC Radio 4's Poetry Please , and new exclusive readings, from actors Derek Jacobi, Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Fry, Susan Jameson and Samuel West .

As an additional tribute, the present Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion , reads his own introduction to John Murray's new edition of the Collected Poems .

This compilation will bring to a new generation of admirers the remarkable poetic voice of one of the twentieth-century's best-loved personalities.

Due to the age and the off-air source of some recordings, the sound quality may at times vary