A WRITER has been honoured for his achievements in poetry

Ulverston poet Neil Curry has been made honorary life vice-president of the Norman Nicholson Society.

This marked a special moment for the society and Mr Curry as it is the first time such an accolade has been given to a society member.

Mr Curry said: "It's a nice thing that's happened to me, I've done more lectures on him than anyone in the land."

The 79-year-old writer was awarded the title in recognition of his contribution to the understanding of Mr Nicholson.

Mr Nicholson was a Millom-born poet who won great acclaim for his contemporary writing style.

The poet, born in 1914, wrote about the people in Millom, and the industry that surrounded the town, notably the mining, quarrying and iron working which took place there.

Over the years Mr Curry has published studies on the writings of the poet. In particular his editing of Norman Nicholson: Collected Poems, published in 2008, was singled out for praise.

Chairman of the society, Charlie Lambert, said: "Neil’s work on the Collected Poems is the most significant contribution to the study of Nicholson since the poet’s death in 1987.

"Not only that, he continues to give talks about Nicholson, ensuring that the creativity and perception of Nicholson become known to new audiences all the time."

Mr Curry was one of the founding members of the society which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2016 and for most of that time, Mr Curry served as a member of the society's committee.

The group is well supported, with Lord Melvyn Bragg, the acclaimed BBC broadcaster and author, serving as its honorary president.

Mr Curry was presented with a framed certificate to mark the honour at a Christmas gathering organised by the Society on December 3 in Grange.

Two other Cumbrian poets were honoured with the same accolade: David Boyd, from Seascale and Kathleen Jones, from Appleby.

Mr Curry is currently working on the manuscript for his latest book entitled Keeping Company With Virginia Woolfe.

Listen to Norman Nicholson's poem, 'September on the Mosses'

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