Afternoon Tea with Betty Mackereth

Wednesday 27th June 2024 marks the hundredth birthday of Betty Mackereth, famous for being Philip Larkin’s secretary, close friend, lover and muse.

Afternoon Tea with Betty Mackereth’ is a video recording of an event held in the Royal Hotel, Hull in 2015 during which Betty recalled he relationship with Philip Larkin in conversation with Professor James Booth, author of ‘Philip Larkin, Life, Art and Love’, and Professor Graham Chester, Chair of The Philip Larkin Society.

Betty’s loyalty to Larkin was immense and throughout their time together he greatly valued her support and friendship. Writing to his mother in October 1969, he said, “My mainstay is Betty, boundless energy, always cheerful & tolerant, and if she doesn’t do half my work she sort of chews it up to make it easier for me to swallow. I’d be lost without her.”

Betty also inspired him to write some of his finest love poetry, including the beautiful ‘When first we faced and touching showed’ and ‘We met at the end of the party’.