William Blake � poet and artist, political and visionary � was born in London in 1757. Blake wrote the poem Jerusalem, set to music long after the poet�s death by Hubert Parry. Some would call Jerusalem - sung at the start of the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games - England�s alternate national anthem...

William Blake

Hello Asha and all,

Have you seen tht delightful movie Educating Rita with Julie Walters and Michael Caine? Well in it there is a well acted scene where Caine's character, a smart but disenchanted-with-life-drinking Professor of English learns one of Blake's lessons... that of not waiting or leaving the best till last because of pride or hubris even.

It is an old movie but anyone who has a love of any literature at any level and for any reason will enjoy I am sure - worth taking it out from the closest DVD hire shop.

Thanks for the article Asha, cheers now

I have indeed seen Educating Rita Leslie - just checked the date it was 1983, which I guess is old as in nearly thirty years ago, I just hadn't thought of the film that way!

Another excellent film from the same decade which weaves through both teaching and poetry is Dead Poets Society...