John Lancaster (born 18 April 1946) is a British poet and writer. He has published four collections of poetry: Effects of War (1986); Split Shift (with Geoff Hattersley) (1990); The Barman (1993) and Here In Scotland (with Milan Knizak) (2000).
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Early life and career
John Lancaster was born and grew up in the village of Biddulph Moor, Staffordshire and educated at Hanley High School, Stoke-on-Trent and Sheffield University. He qualified as a town and regional planner in 1970 and then worked in local government and the housing association movement. Whilst working in Birmingham he was trombonist with Dan Pawson’s Artesian Hall Stompers (1973–1979) and during this period spent time living and playing jazz in New Orleans, USA: it was in these years that he began to write.
Writing career
John Lancaster first came to prominence as a second prizewinner in the National Poetry Competition, 1979. In 1980 he moved to Huddersfield, West Yorkshire where for thirteen years he became part of a flourishing local poetry scene, largely centred around the critically constructive workshops of The Poetry Business and The Albert Poets in which many fine writers participated including Simon Armitage, David Morley, Peter Sansom, Janet Fisher, Milner Place, John Duffy, John Bosley and Stephanie Bowgett. It was his time in Huddersfield that saw the publication of his first three collections. In 1993 he moved to rural Aberdeenshire where he lived for eight years, this being the inspiration for his fourth collection Here In Scotland (with Czech artist and writer Milan Knizak).
He was Writer-in-Residence at Huddersfield University (1986–87) and subsequently has held numerous positions as a creative writing tutor including: WEA, Huddersfield (1987–89); Poet In Schools, Kirklees (1989); Arvon Foundation at Lumb Bank (1989); University of Huddersfield (1989–93); Open College of the Arts (1989–2001); Gray’s School of Art, The Robert Gordon University (1993–96).
His work is used on educational syllabuses and has appeared in many poetry and literary journals including Poetry Review, Times Literary Supplement, London Magazine, Ambit, The Rialto, Iron, The North. He has performed his work at many venues and literature festivals in the UK and Europe and in the broadcast media including BBC2, BBC Radio4, Radio Prague and YTV’s ‘Readabout’ series.
Personal life
John Lancaster is married to the artist Barbara Milligan, with whom he has two sons. He continues to work in housing as a consultant and has written on the subject. Since 2015 he has lived in Totnes, Devon and Brittany, France. He still plays the bass trombone, is a life-long supporter of Port Vale FC and is a member of the Labour Party.
Work
Poetry Collections
Poetry in Anthologies (selected)
Prizes, Awards, Appointments (selected)