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Wirksworth Book Festival – Day 2
April 20
Wirksworth welcomes the return of its book festival and fair for a day on the 20th April and a little bit more on the 19th and 21st.
The festival features local and national and local authors talking about their work and is sponsored by TDP, manufacturers of recycled plastic furniture, and Scarthin Books.
Saturday 20th April
The town turns over its streets, market and venues to celebrate the joy of reading for a day packed with events.
Book Fair and Market. 9am – 4pm, Memorial Hall and Gardens.
Bookshops. The Bookshop and Haarlem Shop, Market Place; EVRA Shop, Wingfield Station; Red Brick Retro, North End; Wirksworth Heritage Centre, St John Street; Scarthin Books, Cromford.
Off the Bookshelf is a series of free author talks and book signings at the Wellspring Centre, 11am – 4pm. There will be a café. FREE.
Authors include:
11am. Shirley Mann, Phil Whitney – Writing from Life.
12pm – Penny Anderson – Peak District nature.
1pm – Andy & Vally Miller – Way to the West, a multimedia presentation featuring projected illustrations and poems read by actors.
2pm – Zoe Sharp – You Can’t Run in High Heels!
3pm – Helen Mort –Ethel: The biography of countryside pioneer Ethel Haythornthwaite
Freed Words from the Lockup features poets performing their own work between 11am – 2pm. The Old Lockup, North End. FREE.
Poets include Joe Zux, Sarfraz Ahmed, Tanvir Akram, Matthew James Fowler, Demspey Grinion and Rob Stamper.
Zinefest. Artist Presses and Zines, featuring local works by Ruby Beard and Gabriel Carr as well as invited publishers from Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield. 10am – 4pm, FREE. &Breath, 17 St John Street.
The Writing Tent. Aspiring and established writers of all ages are invited to visit Writing East Midlands and see what support they offer. Memorial Gardens, 10am – 4pm, FREE.
Children’s Story Time on the Train with a ride up to Ravenstor Station. 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm, Wirksworth Station. FREE.
Literary Links. Natalie Windsor sings songs along the theme of books and Shakespeare! 10:30am, outside Marsden’s Gifts.
Author Talks Around Town.
Winging It Blind. Simon Mahoney talks about his books and life as a visually impaired author. 09:45, Wirksworth Library. FREE.
Mills, Mines and Fulfilment Centres. Carmel Doohan talks about her new novel, Fulfilment Centre. 12:30pm, Haarlem Shop. FREE.
Plus there may be a few surprises on the day.
Writing Workshops
Story Games. Timed writing exercises using dice, cards and chess pieces as triggers to generate plot lines and characters. Each round will take about 10 – 25mins. Bring your own notebook, or use the pen and paper provided. 10:30am – 12:30pm, Wirksworth Library, FREE.
With Lindsay Galvin, author of Darwin’s Dragons, The Call of the Titanic, and many other young adult books. For adults and teenagers, 2pm, The Feather Star. £5.
Susie Sloth and her Secret Superpower. Local author and pilates and breath coach Charlotte Marsh will lead children’s sessions based on her picture book ‘Susie Sloth’ The Maltings, 1pm and 3pm. From £5. Book in advance or pay on the door.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/wirksworthbookfestival
Children’s Craft Corner. Design your own book and other crafts. Book signing from local authors – tbc. 10am – 3pm, Wirksworth Heritage Centre. £3 for keepsake book activity.
The Feather Star
Voices from the Peak. Listen to Peak District inspired soundcapes by Mark Gwynne-Jones played in the bar. 12 – 5pm. Poetry Slam. Bring a 3 minute poem and recite it in the annual contest of verse in front of an appreciative audience. All ages and abilities welcome. 5 – 7pm. I Ching readings from 7pm. The Feather Star. FREE.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde adapted and read by Kirk Ireton Light Programme. 7pm, The Moot Hall on Chapel Lane, £10. Book in advance or pay on the door.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/wirksworthbookfestival