CHARLES Causley has been described as one of the great poets of his generation, and there is the chance to find out more about the late Launcestonian when a one-off programme airs on the BBC this weekend.

‘Cornwall’s Native Poet: Charles Causley’, a film by Jane Darke and Andrew Tebbs, will have its first TV showing this Sunday, October 1, at 8pm on BBC Four.

Born in 1917 in Launceston, the only time Causley left was for active service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

His father died when he was a boy as a result of a gas attack in the trenches of World War One and he lived the rest of his life in the same house as his mother. He knew everyone and they knew him. He devoted his life to teaching, poetry and his mother.

Charles Causley said that everything you needed to know about him was in the poetry. He wrote directly from experience about the people of Launceston and the changes in the town, both world wars, his shipmates, local history, myths, animals and God.

The film was previewed at Launceston Town Hall just over two years ago. Much of it was filmed in the town, and is about Causley’s life and work, as seen through the eyes of his friends both local and literary.

The project involved interviews with more than 20 people, including friends from Launceston and major poets, such as Roger McGough, Simon Armitage and Andrew Motion.

It includes images from the archives at the University of Exeter and film from the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA).

Jane told the Post at the time of the film’s preview in Launceston: “We interviewed local people and poets. Not everybody made it into the film, although every interview will go into the archive.

“It’s been a privilege working on the film and getting to know more about him — he was a really fantastic person.”

Jane added of the upcoming broadcast: “It is my third film to get a broadcast — ‘The Wrecking Season’ and ‘The Art of Catching Lobsters’, the others. It’s fantastic to see your work go out to potentially millions of people.

“The film was a joy to make. A big thanks to all who contributed. Can’t wait to start the next one!”