Lots For Literature Lovers At Beverley Folk Festival

Lots For Literature Lovers At Beverley Folk Festival

Already renowned for its music, the award-winning Beverley Folk Festival also boasts its own literature mini-festival among a packed programme of events.

The 2014 festival takes place from June 20-22 at Beverley Racecourse, with a musical line-up including Billy Bragg, Martin Carthy & Eliza Carthy, Chas & Dave, Home Service, Lau and Thea Gilmore.

Literature has also become a central element of the festival, and this year’s highlights include appearances from Michael Morpurgo, author of the novel War Horse, and the journalist and broadcaster Andy Kershaw, with his one-man show The Adventures of Andy Kershaw.

Poet, comedian, musician and songwriter John Hegley will be back at the festival on the Sunday to present poems and more, from his latest book and show I Am A Poetato.

Throughout the weekend Poetry and Prose workshops, readings and Open Mic sessions will be taking place, led by Johanna Boal and Sue Wilsea, giving visitors to the event the chance to present their work to a friendly audience.

Sue, a local author, explains: “Open Mic presents a great opportunity to ‘publish’ their own words and get feedback in an informal and supportive setting.” To book a slot contact Sue on 07985 377539.

Demonstrating that poetry has the ear of the younger generation will be Lucy Ayrton, a young graduate from Oxford, who will be leading a workshop in writing poetry for performance as well as reading her own poems.

On the festival Saturday, Michael Morpurgo will be reading from his book War Horse, accompanied by music from John Tams and Barry Coope, who will perform Tams’ songs and music associated with the play.

Morpurgo will also appear ‘In Conversation’ with Tracey Seaward, the co-director of the film version War Horse, which will also be shown at the festival, which was winner of the Remarkable Tourism Event at the 2014 REYTA awards.

The festival’s community project, on the Sunday, will involve creative writing groups from two local schools, presenting songs from Hull prisoners, a presentation for a partner school in Germany, and unveiling a large ‘War Horse’ made by The Miller’s care centre in Beverley.

Beverley Folk Festival is a not-for-profit organisation and local company William Jackson Food Group, has been a major sponsor for events within the mini-festival, with support from Beverley Town Council. An online pledge campaign has also been set up via CrowdFunder, with the aim of raising £3,200 to support the staging of free events for the community.

For more information and tickets go to www.beverleyfestival.com or tel: 01377 217569.