Northern Drift

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Amanda Dalton And Daniel Thorne

20220307

Radio 3's cabaret of words and music from Hebden Bridge's Trades Club returns with a little bit of magic...

That's the title of one of the poems offered by Hebden's own Amanda Dalton. She discusses how she crafts her poetry and shares intimate readings in front of our live audience.

Music is provided by saxophonist Daniel Thorne who finds inspiration in the changeable climes of Liverpool - far from his birthplace in Perth.

Enjoy some northern perspectives from the heart of the Calder Valley.

Presented by Elizabeth Alker

Produced by Kevin Core

Poet Amanda Dalton and saxophonist Daniel Thorne at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Amy Liptrot And Nightports

20230116

Writer Amy Liptrot and collaborative musicians Nightports join Elizabeth Alker

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Andrew Mcmillan And Eliza Carthy

20211206

Eliza Carthy and poet Andrew McMilllan at the Trades Club in West Yorkshire.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Anthony Dunn And Nightports

20230109

Antony Dunn and Nightports join Elizabeth Alker at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Bryony And Alice With Shirley May

20220912

Another edition of our northern speakeasy, recorded at the Trades Club, Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Carmen Marcus And Hayley Suviste

20220926

North Yorkshire writer and poet Carmen Marcus joins Elizabeth at the Trades Club to talk about her new collection 'The Catch' which reflects on the fishing heritage of Redcar where she grew up. And composer and sound recordist Hayley Suviste plays music inspired by the urban landscapes and green spaces around Manchester, mixing clarinet, electronics and field recordings.

Producer: Ruth Thomson

Carmen Marcus and Hayley Suviste join Elizabeth Alker at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Claire Askew And Carmel Smickersgill

20220620

Elizabeth Alker returns for a new series of Northern Drift with poet, crime writer, and witch Claire Askew, and Manchester based composer and performer Carmel Smickersgill.

Claire's new poetry collection 'How to Burn a Woman' celebrates the lives of women accused of witchcraft and heresy - including her 16th-century ancestor Anne Askew, one of the earliest female English language poets and the first Englishwoman to request a divorce. She was tortured in the Tower of London and burnt at the stake in 1546, aged 25.

Currently under the mentorship of Anna Meredith, Carmel Smickersgill has been commissioned by the Liverpool Philharmonic's Ensemble 10/10, Galvanise Ensemble, and Fretwork. She's described her new EP 'We Get What We Want & We Don't Get Upset' as `silly music that comes from serious places`.

Producer: Ruth Thomson

Claire Askew and Carmel Smickersgill join Elizabeth for a new season of Northern Drift.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Clare Shaw And Robin Richards

20220221

Poet Clare Shaw and multi-instrumentalist Robin Richards at the Trades Club.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Helen Mort And Will Pound

20220214

Sheffield-based poet Helen Mort and harmonica player Will Pound join Elizabeth Alker.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Ian Mcmillan And Bryony And Alice

20221003

Ian McMillan and folk duo Bryony and Alice join Elizabeth Alker in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Jake Morris-campbell And Will Pound

20220207

Tyneside poet Jake Morris-Campbell and harmonica player Will Pound with Elizabeth Alker.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Jo Clement And The Manchester Collective

20220321

Elizabeth Alker talks to Northumbrian poet and writer Jo Clement, whose work explores her Gypsy Roma Traveller heritage, at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. With live music by Philip Glass, Nicola Matteis and Max Richter played by Rakhi Singh and Eliza McCarthy from the Manchester Collective. Jo reads her poems 'Knots', 'The Sly and Unseen Day', and 'Singing Lesson' from her forthcoming debut collection Outlandish.

Producer: Ruth Thomson

Elizabeth Alker talks to Roma writer Jo Clement with music from the Manchester Collective.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Kate Fox And Erland Cooper

20211122

In a brand new series for BBC Radio 3, Elizabeth Alker celebrates the best of music and writing inspired by the north. Tonight she's joined by Bradford-born poet, author and comedian Kate Fox, and composer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper, whose music absorbs the poetry, landscape, and neolithic sights of his native Orkney. Up for discussion: northern voices, heirlooms, travelling from your roots, and the magic of the everyday.

Recorded live at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

Producer: Ruth Thomson

Poet Kate Fox and composer Erland Cooper at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Katrina Porteous And Iona Lane

20220711

Poet Katrina Porteous and folk singer Iona Lane perform at the Hebden Bridge Trades Club.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Khadijah Ibrahiim And Eliza Carthy

20211213

Eliza Carthy and Leeds-based poet Khadijah Ibrahiim at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Kim Moore And Daniel Pioro

20230123

Recorded at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, Elizabeth Alker is joined by the Cumbrian poet Kim Moore whose collection 'All The Men I Never Married', which explores everyday sexism and female desire, recently won the 2022 Forward Prize. With music from Edinburgh based violinist and composer Daniel Pioro, keyboard player Katherine Tinker and cellist Clare O'Connell. They play works by British composer Nick Martin, Scottish folk musician Aidan O'Rourke, and Daniel himself.

Producer: Ruth Thomson.

2022 Forward Prize-winning poet Kim Moore and violinist Daniel Pioro join Elizabeth Alker.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Mark Pajak And Iona Lane

20220704

Featuring Liverpudlian poet Mark Pajak and Leeds folk singer/composer Iona Lane.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Michael Pedersen And Hayley Suviste

20230102

Poet Michael Pedersen and sound artist Hayley Suviste at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Michael Symmons-roberts And The Manchester Collective

20220328

Poet Michael Symmons-Roberts and the Manchester Collective with Elizabeth Alker.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Mike Garry And Carmel Smickersgill

20220627

Manchester poet Mike Garry and composer and performer Carmel Smickersgill join Elizabeth and a live audience at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.

A librarian for 15 years, Mike works extensively in education and has collaborated with composers Philip Glass and Joe Duddell. He performs frequently with John Cooper Clarke, and the Cassia String Quartet. His poems tonight celebrate his favourite childhood teacher Miss McCoombe, and the broadcaster, record label owner, and nightclub manager Tony Wilson.

Carmel Smickersgill studied with film composer Gary Carpenter at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and works across classical, theatre, film and electronic music. Tonight she performs tracks from her new EP We Get What We Get & We Don't Get Upset.

Producer: Ruth Thomson

Poet Mike Garry and composer Carmel Smickersgill at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Paul Farley And Robin Richards

20220228

Poet Paul Farley and multi-instrumentalist Robin Richards join Elizabeth in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Simon Armitage And Daniel Thorne

20220314

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and Liverpool-based saxophonist and composer Daniel Thorne join Elizabeth Alker and an audience at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

Simon discusses the responsibilities of a poet laureate during a pandemic - and his theory that the comfort of poetry can be found in paying attention - as poetry is the art of concentration.

And a recollection of Iceland leads him to ponder the question... is there a North?

Presented by Elizabeth Alker

Produced by Kevin Core

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and saxophonist Daniel Thorne with Elizabeth Alker.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Testament And Erland Cooper

20211129

In a new series for BBC Radio 3, Elizabeth Alker celebrates the best of music and writing inspired by the north. Tonight she's joined by Brighouse-based hip-hop MC and world record-breaking beatboxer Testament and composer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper, whose music absorbs the poetry, landscape, and neolithic sights of his native Orkney.

Recorded live at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge in Calderdale, West Yorkshire.

Producer: Ruth Thomson

Elizabeth Alker with Testament and Erland Cooper at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Tony Walsh And Daniel Pioro

20230130

Poet Tony Walsh and violinist Daniel Pioro join Elizabeth Alker at the Trades Club.

Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Comments
Amanda Dalton And Daniel Thorne	20220307	Radio 3's cabaret of words and music from Hebden Bridge's Trades Club returns with a little bit of magic... That's the title of one of the poems offered by Hebden's own Amanda Dalton. She discusses how she crafts her poetry and shares intimate readings in front of our live audience. Music is provided by saxophonist Daniel Thorne who finds inspiration in the changeable climes of Liverpool - far from his birthplace in Perth. Enjoy some northern perspectives from the heart of the Calder Valley. Presented by Elizabeth Alker Produced by Kevin Core Poet Amanda Dalton and saxophonist Daniel Thorne at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Amy Liptrot And Nightports	20230116	Writer Amy Liptrot and collaborative musicians Nightports join Elizabeth Alker Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Andrew Mcmillan And Eliza Carthy	20211206	Eliza Carthy and poet Andrew McMilllan at the Trades Club in West Yorkshire. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Anthony Dunn And Nightports	20230109	Antony Dunn and Nightports join Elizabeth Alker at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Bryony And Alice With Shirley May	20220912	Another edition of our northern speakeasy, recorded at the Trades Club, Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Carmen Marcus And Hayley Suviste	20220926	North Yorkshire writer and poet Carmen Marcus joins Elizabeth at the Trades Club to talk about her new collection 'The Catch' which reflects on the fishing heritage of Redcar where she grew up. And composer and sound recordist Hayley Suviste plays music inspired by the urban landscapes and green spaces around Manchester, mixing clarinet, electronics and field recordings. Producer: Ruth Thomson Carmen Marcus and Hayley Suviste join Elizabeth Alker at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Claire Askew And Carmel Smickersgill	20220620	Elizabeth Alker returns for a new series of Northern Drift with poet, crime writer, and witch Claire Askew, and Manchester based composer and performer Carmel Smickersgill. Claire's new poetry collection 'How to Burn a Woman' celebrates the lives of women accused of witchcraft and heresy - including her 16th-century ancestor Anne Askew, one of the earliest female English language poets and the first Englishwoman to request a divorce. She was tortured in the Tower of London and burnt at the stake in 1546, aged 25. Currently under the mentorship of Anna Meredith, Carmel Smickersgill has been commissioned by the Liverpool Philharmonic's Ensemble 10/10, Galvanise Ensemble, and Fretwork. She's described her new EP 'We Get What We Want & We Don't Get Upset' as `silly music that comes from serious places`. Producer: Ruth Thomson Claire Askew and Carmel Smickersgill join Elizabeth for a new season of Northern Drift. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Clare Shaw And Robin Richards	20220221	Poet Clare Shaw and multi-instrumentalist Robin Richards at the Trades Club. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Helen Mort And Will Pound	20220214	Sheffield-based poet Helen Mort and harmonica player Will Pound join Elizabeth Alker. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Ian Mcmillan And Bryony And Alice	20221003	Ian McMillan and folk duo Bryony and Alice join Elizabeth Alker in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Jake Morris-campbell And Will Pound	20220207	Tyneside poet Jake Morris-Campbell and harmonica player Will Pound with Elizabeth Alker. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Jo Clement And The Manchester Collective	20220321	Elizabeth Alker talks to Northumbrian poet and writer Jo Clement, whose work explores her Gypsy Roma Traveller heritage, at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. With live music by Philip Glass, Nicola Matteis and Max Richter played by Rakhi Singh and Eliza McCarthy from the Manchester Collective. Jo reads her poems 'Knots', 'The Sly and Unseen Day', and 'Singing Lesson' from her forthcoming debut collection Outlandish. Producer: Ruth Thomson Elizabeth Alker talks to Roma writer Jo Clement with music from the Manchester Collective. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Kate Fox And Erland Cooper	20211122	In a brand new series for BBC Radio 3, Elizabeth Alker celebrates the best of music and writing inspired by the north. Tonight she's joined by Bradford-born poet, author and comedian Kate Fox, and composer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper, whose music absorbs the poetry, landscape, and neolithic sights of his native Orkney. Up for discussion: northern voices, heirlooms, travelling from your roots, and the magic of the everyday. Recorded live at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Producer: Ruth Thomson Poet Kate Fox and composer Erland Cooper at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Katrina Porteous And Iona Lane	20220711	Poet Katrina Porteous and folk singer Iona Lane perform at the Hebden Bridge Trades Club. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Khadijah Ibrahiim And Eliza Carthy	20211213	Eliza Carthy and Leeds-based poet Khadijah Ibrahiim at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Kim Moore And Daniel Pioro	20230123	Recorded at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, Elizabeth Alker is joined by the Cumbrian poet Kim Moore whose collection 'All The Men I Never Married', which explores everyday sexism and female desire, recently won the 2022 Forward Prize. With music from Edinburgh based violinist and composer Daniel Pioro, keyboard player Katherine Tinker and cellist Clare O'Connell. They play works by British composer Nick Martin, Scottish folk musician Aidan O'Rourke, and Daniel himself. Producer: Ruth Thomson. 2022 Forward Prize-winning poet Kim Moore and violinist Daniel Pioro join Elizabeth Alker. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Mark Pajak And Iona Lane	20220704	Featuring Liverpudlian poet Mark Pajak and Leeds folk singer/composer Iona Lane. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Michael Pedersen And Hayley Suviste	20230102	Poet Michael Pedersen and sound artist Hayley Suviste at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Michael Symmons-roberts And The Manchester Collective	20220328	Poet Michael Symmons-Roberts and the Manchester Collective with Elizabeth Alker. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Mike Garry And Carmel Smickersgill	20220627	Manchester poet Mike Garry and composer and performer Carmel Smickersgill join Elizabeth and a live audience at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. A librarian for 15 years, Mike works extensively in education and has collaborated with composers Philip Glass and Joe Duddell. He performs frequently with John Cooper Clarke, and the Cassia String Quartet. His poems tonight celebrate his favourite childhood teacher Miss McCoombe, and the broadcaster, record label owner, and nightclub manager Tony Wilson. Carmel Smickersgill studied with film composer Gary Carpenter at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and works across classical, theatre, film and electronic music. Tonight she performs tracks from her new EP We Get What We Get & We Don't Get Upset. Producer: Ruth Thomson Poet Mike Garry and composer Carmel Smickersgill at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Paul Farley And Robin Richards	20220228	Poet Paul Farley and multi-instrumentalist Robin Richards join Elizabeth in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Simon Armitage And Daniel Thorne	20220314	Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and Liverpool-based saxophonist and composer Daniel Thorne join Elizabeth Alker and an audience at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Simon discusses the responsibilities of a poet laureate during a pandemic - and his theory that the comfort of poetry can be found in paying attention - as poetry is the art of concentration. And a recollection of Iceland leads him to ponder the question... is there a North? Presented by Elizabeth Alker Produced by Kevin Core Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and saxophonist Daniel Thorne with Elizabeth Alker. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Testament And Erland Cooper	20211129	In a new series for BBC Radio 3, Elizabeth Alker celebrates the best of music and writing inspired by the north. Tonight she's joined by Brighouse-based hip-hop MC and world record-breaking beatboxer Testament and composer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper, whose music absorbs the poetry, landscape, and neolithic sights of his native Orkney. Recorded live at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Producer: Ruth Thomson Elizabeth Alker with Testament and Erland Cooper at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.
Tony Walsh And Daniel Pioro	20230130	Poet Tony Walsh and violinist Daniel Pioro join Elizabeth Alker at the Trades Club. Elizabeth Alker with the best new poetry and music from the North.