Line-up for Wakefield Lit Fest 2015 is revealed

The star-studded line up has been announced for Wakefield Lit Fest 2015.
Ian McMillanIan McMillan
Ian McMillan

Among the headliners are the Bard of Barnsley, Ian McMillan, and folk singer Kate Rusby.

Also appearing are Gillian Clarke, the national poet of Wales, and historian and broadcaster Michael Wood who will be exploring King Alfred and the Anglo-Saxons.

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Lit Fest patron Mr Wood said: “I’m delighted to be involved as part of this year’s Lit Fest programme with such a wide range of events that cater for all ages, tastes and areas of interest - it’s really great to see the festival grow and develop each year. The team have created a packed programme and I urge audiences to sample as many events as they can and hopefully try something new this year.”

The festival runs from September 18 to 27.

Highlights include an evening of Nordic Noir with two leading Danish authors supported by the Danish Cultural Institute. And on a culinary note, Lynn Hill, founder of the Clandestine Cake Club, will be talking about her new book A Year of Cake,

Stand up comedian and poet Kate Fox will also return to the festival. Singer songwriter Kate Rusby will put on a special event, while poet Mr McMillan will bring the curtain down on the whole event by exploring the meaning of Yorkshire, which is the theme of his new book Neither Nowt Nor Summat.

But it’s not all just about adults. New for this year is a children and young people weekend on September 26 and 27. There will be a big read, bed time stories, hands on activities, and creative workshops - from having a chance to create their own superhero to writing their own chart topping song.

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There will also be a special appearance by Nick Arnold best known for his Horrible Science series of children’s books.

Festival organiser Beam has also been working in partnership with Wakefield Grammar School Foundation and poet Andy Craven-Griffiths to offer a children’s writing challenge to year five pupils in primary schools across the Wakefield district.

Children will also have free special super heroes events at Trinity Walk throughout the festival.

Fran Smith, co-director of Beam, said: “Beam is delighted to be working with city and district partners on this, the fourth Wakefield Lit Fest.

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Alongside a wide range of headline and community organised events we’re very happy to be spreading our wings to Featherstone Library for a one-day festival and to launch our first ever children and young people’s weekend.

“Once again we’re inspired by the passionate enthusiasm of all our festival partners and volunteers who are joining us to celebrate the written and spoken word – we hope that you can join us too.” The line-up

The fourth Wakefield Lit Fest will be a district-wide celebration of reading and writing.

The September 18 to 27 event will take place at a variety of community venues, cafes and shops plus Wakefield’s historic buildings, cathedral, chapels and libraries.

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This year’s festival programme includes a wide range of community led events including poetry readings, writers workshops, spoken word, performance, music, walks, a quiz and an array of events organised by festival partners.

Headliners include poet Ian McMillan, folk star Kate Rusby and historian Michael Wood.

There will be plenty for children and young people who get their own dedicated weekend on September 26 and 27 with a host of activities, including a chance to create a super hero.

That ties in with a series of family friendly super heroes events at Trinity Walk.

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Children and families will be able to don their capes and be transformed into superheroes at the shopping centre for a weekend of free, fun, hands on activities on September 19 and 20.

This is followed by a super heroes premier red carpet event on Saturday, September 26, where you can see yourself on the big screen and meet a special guest superhero.

To see a full programme of events please visit www.wakefieldlitfest.org.uk/whatson

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