Countdown begins to literature festival

The schedule of over 50 storytellers, authors, poets, actors and musicians across nine different venues in the town centre as now been announced.

The event, being held on Saturday, April 1 from 11am to 4pm, has been organised by Chorley Council and The Creative Network - the organisations behind the popular Chorley Live music event.

Nigel Stewart, of The Creative Network, said: “We have taken the successful Chorley Live concept to create this word festival to celebrate the wonderful world of words.

“We again have the popular 45 minute presentation or workshops and a rolling programme of shorter performances at various venues that we’ve had in previous years. New to this year’s event we have the book benches appearing in town with the chance to get involved in decorating a book bench for Chorley.

“We really do have something for everyone, from interactive story telling for the very young, to tips on how to get a book published for budding authors. We’re thrilled to have some of the best poets and performers in the area. We’ve also brought in presenters who are passionate about food because we’re launching a food festival in June.”

Each venue will have performers and workshops starting on the hour from 11am through until the final session that will run until 4pm.

The sessions include:

Storytelling for all ages

Tips on starting, finishing and publishing a book

Creative writing workshops

Meet the author and book signings

Creating and drawing characters

Poetry reading

Songs

Food for everyone

The chance to help design and decorate Chorley’s very own Book Bench

Visitors to the festival will also be able to join a book bench trail over a two week period either side of the festival as nine brightly coloured book benches arrive in the town centre designed and decorated by pupils from nearby schools.

Linking with the Faculty of Primary Education at Edge Hill University, the book bench trail will give an added dimension to the event.

Councillor Peter Wilson, deputy leader of Chorley Council, said: “This is becoming a more popular event each year which is great for visitors and shoppers because it is something different for people to enjoy.

“We have some extremely talented contributors again this year which proves it is increasing and becoming something that they want to be part of and it is yet another event that is attracting more people into the town centre.

“I would urge people to take a look at the schedule to see what it as to offer then come down and take part in what will be a fantastic day celebrating the wonderful world of words.”

Venues this year include Chorley Library, St Laurence’s Church, Goodies Coffee Shop, milkshake bar Bubble ‘n’ Shake, The Buttonhole haberdashery, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the covered market, and Cartwright’s Drama Studio.

More information and full details of who’s appearing where and at what time are available at chorley.gov.uk or on the What’s Your Story Chorley? event page on Facebook.