Letter: Wellington should not ignore Philip Larkin link

Letter: I think that your correspondent George Evans (Shropshire Star, March 16) has missed the point regarding the borough council's request for Wellington townspeople's views on the naming of a new thoroughfare in the town.

Sorry George but in my view literary snobbery, whatever that is, has nothing to do with the debate.

I write out of regard for my town, hoping that the opportunity to enhance its standing both in this country and further afield will not be lost. Surely we should make more of our connection with a poet of worldwide acclaim who spent his formative years as a writer living among us and working in our library.

If attracting visitors is a factor in the various initiatives such as the "Wellington for Walkers" scheme, the plans for a museum and the exploration of the town's history, then to dissociate the town from the name of Philip Larkin would be short-sighted.

The reputation of Wellington as the venue for an annual literary festival is spreading, so it simply does not make sense for Wellington to ignore Philip Larkin.

Heather Duckett

Wellington