New book reveals poet Hughes’s Mexborough influences

Writer Steve Ely believes that former Poet Laureate Hughes’ spell in South Yorkshire was far more important to his literary career than previously accepted.

Many people suggest that Ted Hughes’ early life in Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire moulded his future work but Mr Ely says that his school, friends and teachers in Mexborough had a more significant impact.

He also says in his new book — Ted Hughes’ South Yorkshire: Made in Mexborough — that the countryside around Old Denaby was the root of important poems such as The Thought Fox and The Pike.

Hughes — author of such collections as Crow, Birthday Letters and The Hawk in the Rain, as well as children’s classic The Iron Man — moved to Mexborough aged seven when his parents took over a newsagents.

Poet Mr Ely, who is chairman of The Ted Hughes Project: South Yorkshire and teaches creative writing at Huddersfield University, said: “If you look at existing books about Ted Hughes, he is seen as this dark and brooding character of the Pennines, but he left there when he was seven.

“When you look at his Mexborough period, it was his experience here that effected his life.”

Mr Ely said that it was at Mexborough Grammar School that Hughes developed his interest in poems and plays and that teachers Pauline Mayne and John Fisher were the ones who developed his fascination for poetry.

Mr Ely said: “Pauline was a newly-qualified teacher but a very intelligent, bubbly, outgoing person and it was under her tutelage that Hughes decided he was going to be a poet.

“She became a family friend.

“She was very influential on him and stayed in touch throughout his life.”

Mr Ely said that Ms Mayne lent poetry books by Gerard Manley Hopkins and others to Hughes which inspired him.

He said that sixth form teacher Mr Fisher, an expert in Shakespeare and Romantic poetry, was also important.

Mr Ely said: “Again Hughes fell under his spell.

“He was physically very like Ted Hughes and Hughes came to idolise him.

“Fisher inculcated in Hughes all the poetry that would be important to him throughout his life.”

Mr Ely said that it was also Mr Fisher who helped Hughes get into Pembroke College, Cambridge, adding: “Mr Ely added: “Hughes modelled himself on Fisher: his hairstyle, his  deportment, his sense of humour.”

Mr Ely said that the Hughes family found Mexborough a “culture shock” compared to rural Mytholmroyd and Hughes was “repelled” by the area’s industry, which encouraged him to spend time in the countryside around Old Denaby.

Hughes was also influenced by Edna Wholey from Conisbrough — the older sister of his best friend John Wholey— and she became a significant influence on his early poetry.

Mr Ely said that his book may challenge some views on Hughes’\!q development.

“I would not call it controversial but it’s new,” he said. “It’s the first time anyone has investigated Hughes’ Mexborough period.

“This is the full story for the first time.”

Ted Hughes’ South Yorkshire: Made in Mexborough is published by Palgrave McMillan, priced £55.