WHEN he's not working as a teacher in Plymouth schools, Dan Hartigan has another occupation as an all-round builder and when he's not roofing or plumbing he's writing some of the city's most inspiring poetry.
Dan, who lives in Saltash, has just had his debut collection published by Plymouth-based Shoals of Starlings Press. And as the title suggests, Round the Houses is inspired by Dan's adventures in the building trade with many of the poems based on real houses in real Plymouth locations, and the real people and events that go on in them.
Among Plymouth streets immortalised in verse are Linketty Lane, Fort Austin Avenue and St Paul's Street.
There are also poems inspired by pubs such as The Providence and the Crooked Spire, and other locations such as Higher Brook Lodge.
"They are all about building, roofing, plumbing or garden maintenance," said Dan. "The only one that breaks the theme is Providence.
"It struck me that I was in a unique place to observe and, I guess, make judgments. You are not there to pry but almost have no choice. Taking a roof off you see the number of personal things in someone's attic." Dan has been inspired by the jobs he has done on the houses, and the people he has met in them.
This story is from the March 04, 2023 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 04, 2023 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
GB heroes urge PM to back PE plea
PARALYMPIC swimming champion Brock Whiston hopes the Prime Minister will heed British athletes’ emphatic call to ensure disabled children have equal access to sport.
Hungarian Szucs is adapting well to life at Home Park
HUNGARIAN defender Kornel Szucs is grateful for the way he has been made to feel welcome at Plymouth Argyle and is enjoying working under head coach Wayne Rooney.
West Wharf at Millbay Docks is upgraded
WORK WILL ALLOW THE PORT TO HANDLE MORE CARGO
BLOW FOR HAZARDO
INJURED GOALKEEPER RETURNS TO ARGYLE
Smith is crowned Southern champion
FIGHTING farmer Sam Smith has become the region’s second Southern Area champion after he sensationally clinched the Super Middleweight belt in Essex on Saturday night.
McPhee has the belief that his Parkway style will come good
IT is one of those immutable rules of football that you don’t always get what you deserve and also, when you are down at the bottom of the division, you are also down on your luck.
England fall short in clean sweep bid
ENGLAND captain Ollie Pope admitted his side “shot ourselves in the foot” as wayward batting at the Kia Oval saw a triumphant Test summer end in defeat.
Inquiry launched on Covid's NHS impact
THE chairwoman of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has begun to hear evidence relating to the impact of the pandemic on patients and the NHS.
PM 'pickpocketing OAPs'
LABOUR has decided to “pick the pocket of pensioners” while leaving the richest “totally untouched”, the head of the UK’s largest trade union has said, as pressure mounts for the Government to change course on means-testing winter fuel payments.
PM in action pledge about online sale of deadly knives
SIR Keir Starmer has promised action to tackle the online sale of deadly weapons, as he hosted a summit with knife crime campaigners including Luther star Idris Elba and victims’ families. The Prime Minister promised to “double down” on commitments made before the General Election on tackling knife violence.
