This is Subrina. She cuts my hair .
The afro has gone. But it went the day before a BBC broadcast ‘Portrait of..” (click pic)
In which I have an Afro. The portrait is in The Foundling Museum
This came though. These things inspire me. It’s the reason I’m Chancellor: to inspire.
The next day I delivered a keynote at the launch of Teach First Summer Institute. Teachers are under pressure. They need support. Teach first puts them first.
I popped in to my university to see the award winning communications team
Then to see On Corporation St at HOME and hang with friend & actor Yusra Warsama.
That evening I met Sally Lyndsay. Sally kindly helped The Christmas Dinner. 
And I had a special meeting with World Champion Geoff Thompson
Kate Tempest told me about a special poet from Manchester. So I go see him at Band on The Wall in manchester.
I speak at The Ramadan Tent Project on the university of Manchester campus.
I am proud to be part of a university that looks like this. I REALLY am.
The next day I meet The Education people to record script for an online resource
In my role as Chancellor I chair the General Assembly of The University of Manchester.
Later in the evening a speech by John McGrath the artistic director of MIF.
Back to London for a day and then straight to France to a bilingual literature festival Here are three different generations each involved in a different way with my reading.
I loved this french excursion. The reading was a blast. The referendum was not.
And then straight back to Manchester where baggage handlers managed to ruin my bags
I spoke at The Heads Leadership conference in Cheshire. I felt inspired by them.
Then straight back to London. (Flybe have telephoned and organised to pick my bag.) I gave the Keynote for Artsworks at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre. Thanks to Murray Freestone for the photo.
Then I legged it back to Manchester on the Pendellino train. This poster was on a wall.
the proofs for my new and selected poems are waiting at The Malmaison Hotel
The next day I wake at 5am. I’m on Breakfast TV at 8.30am in Media City.
In the evening I read Listening Post at Heaton Park. You can see the gig by clicking here.
On the same day TED NPR (my favourite podcast) decided to repeat my interview
I spent the weekend in Manchester writing script. On Sunday JUly 3rd BBC Radio
On July 4th I read poems at Macclesfield Academy to young people in transition week..
On Tuesday July 5th I visit Sheffield and spend the day with my friend Julie Stewart
at The Childrens Media Conference then I gave the keynote address: It is the UK’s premier meeting place for the children’s content industries.
It was an audience at the top of their game at the top of their industry. Then I was taxi’d to the station and onwards:I wake the next day in a different country.
July 6th is an historic day for Wales: At ten in the morning I ‘m sat with fifteen young people. They suffer anxiety. I show them how to make poems. And they do.
On the way home back to England I receive this. It’s a limited edition. It’ll be on sale soon at University of Manchester. Look out on Facebook for the link.
On 7th July I am in Brighton at 10am to judge the creative future literary awards. This is a unique prize and I love it. It is for the marginalized and unheard.
Then back to London to BBC to interview Linton Kwesi Johnson about Bob Marley for a BBC radio programe I am presenting.
By the time I get home the insurance company make an offer and say I can use their offer to buy particular luggage. But I don’t want to buy their luggage. I want mine.
Each day between 5am and 10am I try to write an original morning tweet. Here are two. The one above is about Brexit and the one below is about The Somme.
I know these posts are uninspiring. They are lists of what I do. I’ll stop them when it’s reached a year since my instalation as Chancellor at The University. Nearly there. Then I’ll get back to writing blogs. Thanks. But finally…. finally honest….just a couple of days ago I received these two photographs from my childhood from a guy called Mark English – his mum actually. I am grateful. They are immediately precious to me.
I heard you read your poetry in Mytholmroyd at the high school theatre. I think you are inspiring on many fronts. I am an adult adoptee born in 1967. My daughter is dual heritage and we both love literature and word craft. I’m also a northerner and think you are a fine ambassador for northern talent
ahh thankyou
WOW! Zippedy doo da’s you’re all over the place!!
haha
Lemn! Your morning poems ARE inspiring. Always in simple form, with a relevant message – and teamed up with the beautiful photos you publish with them, they start the day off on a positively thought-provoking track. If you stop producing them, at least publish them in book form
Thanks Gillian
Wow! Far from uninspiring Lemn! This list inspires me to not be so lazy with my gift and passions. Not sure if you got any sleep in between those days, but I hope rest is coming soon…all work and no play…though it does look like work with wonderful playtime 🙂 Continued best wishes!
Thanks I love it
You’re living the dream and you deserve to xx
Keep up the good work!
10q
What a busy schedule you had? You continue to inspire us with your energy and dedication. Hope you had time to look after yourself too.
Yeah you’re right. Looking after myself is important. I couldn’t do all this if i wasn’t.
Hi Lemn,
That was some 22 days!
During those days, I was lucky enough to be invited by a friend to go with her to the opening of David Hockney’s exhibition at the Royal Academy, “82 portraits and a still life”. But we decided to make it 83, and went to see your portrait first. It is brilliant- it really gets you – I had her take my photo with you – I’d post it here but can’t work out how!
thanks judith
What a great blog and terrific schedule. Lovely to see St Clementin featured too. Thank you for inspiring us Lemn. Bon courage!
thankyou
Beautiful, Lemn. So much energy. Hope to see you in Margate again, one day soon!
Me too Louise it was good
Don’t you need a time with your self? ?
I have time for myself
I want to say something articulate about all you do, but feel stuff instead, so from the bottom of my heart and the depth of my guts, thank you Lemn and I love you❤
Thankyou.
goodness lemn I am out of breath just reading of all your activities !may you continue to find the strength,energy and vigour to continue inspiring many many more people and brightening their lives x
Thankyou
Lemn – unbelievable routine, I’ve witnessed you speak and it was incredible as is your profound devotion to the people. I read poems from ” listener ” and “morning breaks In the elavator” on a daily basis, they continue to inspire me so they never get to meet the bookshelf. Thanks for being you. Peaceful and Passionate.
Thanks for those kind words.