F. Philip Holland
Ploughshares, Piano keys and Poetry
| "For me, performance of the written word is the most vital and meaningful vehicle to bring fresh appreciation of poetry in all forms and styles. To communicate and touch other people’s lives, of all ages, through the printed and spoken word is one of my greatest pleasures.” |
Philip Holland is a semi-retired dairy and sheep farmer, one time hotelier, former concert pianist, presently working part-time in partnership with his wife, Pat, in their jewellery shop, J. Sidebotham & Son, Buxton. Twice-married, once-widowed, he is father to two children, stepfather to four more children, and has five grandchildren.
For most people that would be quite enough to fill one lifetime, but not Philip.
Coming from one of the oldest families in Derbyshire, he can trace his ancestors back to the 14th century. They have farmed in Earl Sterndale, Derbyshire for seven generations and the De Kyndre's lived in and around Kinder in The High Peak since 1385. One of his forebears, Philip Kinder, records this in his whimsical “Booke of Darbieshire” written in the early 1600’s. Though never fully completed, this tome is arguably one of the first histories of the county - (Vol.788, in the Bodleian, ‘Duke Humphrey’s Library’.)
For most people that would be quite enough to fill one lifetime, but not Philip.
Coming from one of the oldest families in Derbyshire, he can trace his ancestors back to the 14th century. They have farmed in Earl Sterndale, Derbyshire for seven generations and the De Kyndre's lived in and around Kinder in The High Peak since 1385. One of his forebears, Philip Kinder, records this in his whimsical “Booke of Darbieshire” written in the early 1600’s. Though never fully completed, this tome is arguably one of the first histories of the county - (Vol.788, in the Bodleian, ‘Duke Humphrey’s Library’.)
As Philip says, “After just over six hundred years we're probably not moving now!”
He is an accomplished poet and concert pianist, and has self-published three poetry books
He first put pen to paper after a holiday to Rome in April, 2003, being inspired by the wonderful Bernini sculptures in The Villa Borgese – in particular Pluto and Proserpina which was the inspiration for Philip's first poem.
His poetry encompasses many moods through descriptive, reflective, dramatic, romantic, and comic. Their forms range through sonnets, ballads, rhyming, parodies and free verse. A few are written in the local dialects of the Derbyshire and High Peak countryside that has been a constant companion and inspiration to him. In his own words, he can be summed up as “Ploughshares, Piano keys and Poetry.”
From the age of six years, he learnt to play the piano, and eventually completed all exams, including Grade 8 and Higher Local, both in solo and duet playing, with honours.
He gave two poetry recitals, punctuated with piano music, at the Buxton Festival Fringe in July ’04, gaining nomination and runner-up in the Spoken Word Category.
An accomplished performance poet, Philip Holland is available for bookings.
From the age of six years, he learnt to play the piano, and eventually completed all exams, including Grade 8 and Higher Local, both in solo and duet playing, with honours.
He gave two poetry recitals, punctuated with piano music, at the Buxton Festival Fringe in July ’04, gaining nomination and runner-up in the Spoken Word Category.
This coincided with the publication of his first anthology, “Selected Poems”, and was followed up with more recitals at The Buxton Festival Fringe in 2005 and 2006. Those years also saw the publication of two more poetry books More Poems and Poetry, Times Three. You can see Philip Holland in the 2007 Buxton Festival Fringe.
His poetry has been heard on “Radio Derby”, “High Peak Radio” and "Radio Sheffield" and been guest-published in numerous local newspapers and periodicals.
One of his latest poems, “The Coot”, was a winner in the Derbyshire Poetry Anthology Competition organised by ‘Templar Poetry’ and was published in ‘The Arnemetiae’, - Derbyshire Community Poetry Anthology in September ’05.
This year he was joint winner in the Huddersfield Literary Festival after being shortlisted in the Open Poetry competition.
An accomplished performance poet, Philip Holland is available for bookings.
His poetry books can be bought direct from his website (see link below) or at the jewellery shop, J. Sidebotham & Son.
Phone: 0845 337 5979
Email: info@fphiliphollandpoetry.co.uk
'A tell ov a mayd frum th'village grayn, (green)
Agnes Pickrin' wer 'er naym.
Born at a farm 'neyth an 'ill cow'd Shayn, (called Sheen)
An 'oud gyet orbun 'air. (she had)
When contacting Philip, please mention that you found him through LetsGo–Buxton.
Selected Poetry Extracts
Aquae Arnemetiae
(From the book 'More Poems')
(last two stanzas)
(From the book 'More Poems')
(last two stanzas)
The closing twentieth century then revived the Spa town's fate,
A thirst for mineral water in its pure and natural state.
A thirst for mineral water in its pure and natural state.
The Buxton Festival was born, a cultured treasure trove,
Again the people flocked to drink the nectar of the grove.
The glory of Grand Opera, Plays, Lectures to impress,
A vibrant Fringe, Jazz, Cabaret, and also G & S.
The pagan spring of long ago is still with flowers dressed,
A custom born in Peakland hills, which clergymen have blessed.
Again the people flocked to drink the nectar of the grove.
The glory of Grand Opera, Plays, Lectures to impress,
A vibrant Fringe, Jazz, Cabaret, and also G & S.
The pagan spring of long ago is still with flowers dressed,
A custom born in Peakland hills, which clergymen have blessed.
Alas, the famous hospital beneath the The Dome is gone,
Now Derby University, for each and everyone.
Our town entrusts its future state to him that freely thinks,
The thirst for education from the fount of knowledge drinks.
The Crescent waits in anxious state, in hope to wax again,
Spa water is our treasure to conserve, and health retain.
So, pure and pleasant fountain, pray forever may you flow,
Come quench your thirst, revive your life, with Buxton's H2O!
Now Derby University, for each and everyone.
Our town entrusts its future state to him that freely thinks,
The thirst for education from the fount of knowledge drinks.
The Crescent waits in anxious state, in hope to wax again,
Spa water is our treasure to conserve, and health retain.
So, pure and pleasant fountain, pray forever may you flow,
Come quench your thirst, revive your life, with Buxton's H2O!
The Girl With Auburn Hair
(From the book 'Selected Poems')
(From the book 'Selected Poems')
(written in the dialect of the Manifold Valley. Try reading it phonetically. The first three stanzas of this long poem are reproduced here)
'A tell ov a mayd frum th'village grayn, (green)
Agnes Pickrin' wer 'er naym.
Born at a farm 'neyth an 'ill cow'd Shayn, (called Sheen)
An 'oud gyet orbun 'air. (she had)
Oh shay wur fair, theer's non denay,
But wildt an' free, non fancy.
Yit th'uther wenches made 'er cray, (cry)
An taysd abairt 'er 'air. (teased)
But wildt an' free, non fancy.
Yit th'uther wenches made 'er cray, (cry)
An taysd abairt 'er 'air. (teased)
Th'yong men o' frum rind abairt,
Tray'dt the best fut win 'er.
B'shay wer chusy, wi'airt a dairt,
An' stalldt 'em wi' 'er stare.
Tray'dt the best fut win 'er.
B'shay wer chusy, wi'airt a dairt,
An' stalldt 'em wi' 'er stare.
April
(From Poetry, Times Three)
(From Poetry, Times Three)
(first two stanzas)
Young April, maiden of the year, with naive smile
now shows her flimsy, peeping green, pubescent, shy.
Escapes that voyeur, Winter, locked too long a while
now shows her flimsy, peeping green, pubescent, shy.
Escapes that voyeur, Winter, locked too long a while
in prison of his sullen, cold, myopic lie.
Her yellow laughter echoes on the coltsfoot's bank,
re-echoes to the softer cowslip's hanging crag.
Their lime and lemon shun the woodland dank,
which find content in violet's purple brag.
re-echoes to the softer cowslip's hanging crag.
Their lime and lemon shun the woodland dank,
which find content in violet's purple brag.
All poems are copyright F. Philip Holland and must not be copied or reproduced in any way. Reproduced here with permission.
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