Ideas and Visions

What Price Literature

Friday 25th November 2011

John Reardon

United Reformed Church Minister Retired

 

Funding cuts to a whole range of small poetry publishers - the possibility of the closures of many local libraries - proposals, floated and then withdrawn, to end the government grant for free books for children - the axing of an important literature prize once won by the young Margaret Drabble... In reaction to such financial stresses some would argue that support for authors and poets is a luxury we can’t and shouldn’t afford. What can be said in favour of fiction and poetry? What is the value of literature?

 

John Reardon studied English at University College, London, graduating with an Honours degree. For three years he taught English in London and Gravesend before ordination to the Christian ministry. He served in churches in Horsham and here at Trinity, St Albans, and his final work was General Secretary of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland for which he was awarded an OBE. For nine years in retirement he has led a reading group for the Milton Keynes University of the Third Age.

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