Published to mark the centenary of his birth, Farewell Performance collects Vernon Scannell’s last books in one volume. It shows how Scannell’s verse remained accessible, entertaining and honest to the end of his life, reflecting on love, war and old age with recognisable wit, wisdom, humour and craft.

Vernon Scannell (1922–2007) wrote over fifty books of poetry, including Graves and Resurrections, Walking Wounded, Funeral Games and Behind the Lines. His memoirs include An Argument of Kings, The Tiger and the Rose and Drums of Morning. He lived in Otley.