Papers of John Monks concerning the poet James Farrar

Papers relating to the performance of the work 'Stored Sunlight' based on the life and work of James Farrar, together with items concerning the republication and launch of Farrar's work 'The Unreturning Spring'. Also John Monks' adaptation 'Stored Sunlight' and his play 'My Time Will Come - The Life of James Farrar'. Also contains general information on James Farrar and his family history.

Folder 1: General

Folder 2: Items related to the performance of 'Stored Sunlight' at the Charles Cryer Studio Theatre, October 2007. Includes script, theatre programme, flyer and poster, newspaper cuttings and CD containing text and images for James Farrar exhibition boards, first displayed at Honeywood Heritage Centre in 2007.

Folder 3: Items connected with the republication and launch of 'The Unreturning Spring' also at Charles Cryer Studio Theatre, October 2008. Includes a copy of 'The Unreturning Spring', photocopy programme of book launch, script of

'My Time Will Come' by John Monks, script of 'The Six Faces of Farrar' by Hayley Agar. Also address by David Farrar, filmed appreciation of Farrar by Andrew Motion on disc, filmed reminiscences of Farrar on DVD.

Folder 4: Farrar family history: includes 'Memories of James Farrar, his life and work' by David Farrar and Farrar family tree.

John Monks, born 24 May 1945, at Sheffield, attended Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield, and King Henry VIII School, Coventry, before becoming a journalist. He worked in Yorkshire and the West Country before leaving newspapers for a brief spell on local radio. For 20 years he worked for the public service trade union NALGO (later UNISON) and was Director of Communications for UNISON when he took early retirement. He did a Ph.D. at Goldsmiths College, University of London, on the poet Edward Thomas. 'Stored Sunlight', his adaptation of James Farrar's 'The Unreturning Spring' in 2007, led to a revival of interest in Farrar's work. Monks was instrumental in the republication of 'The Unreturning Spring' the following year and has written a short play about Farrar's life, 'My time will come', that was performed in 2008.

Usual EUL arrangements apply.

Listed. Rough list by John Monks

Description compiled by Sue Inskip, 23 Jul 2009

Usual EUL restrictions apply.

Donated by John Monks

Papers relating to James Farrar held at Exeter University Library (EUL MS 51, EUL MS 260, EUL MS 287, EUL MS 355, EUL MS 368).