For several years now, I’ve had the great fun of hosting poets at the Faversham Literary Festival and generally helping out. It’s in February, just when we need a lift after a long winter, and every year we say afterwards that it was the best yet. Somehow it always is. Congratulations to Amanda and Mark who run it with Will and the tech team and Megan, our marvellous woman with the clipboard. Here are a handful of photos of what we got up to:
Below is our outstanding showcase of local authors, with a picture below of me and my shepherd’s crook, in case anyone went on too long…
Maggie Harris, Mike Bartholomew-Biggs and me after our Hub reading in Faversham’s medieval Guildhall. Below are happy bar staff (with Mark) after a long day, Mark and Amanda with Linton Kwesi Johnson in St Mary’s, Faversham, and Christopher Horton wowing the Guildhall at the Hub
Just when winter feels never ending with the festivities far behind us, here on the Kent coast we have Faversham Literary Festival to cheer up our February. This year’s programme is as stunning as ever including Tim Peake, Jeanette Winterson, Roger McGough, Glen Matlock, Dame Kelly Holmes, Holly McNish… on and on goes the fabulous line-up.
For writers, there are so many treats like a memoir class on Saturday 17, a local author showcase on Sunday 18, a writing ‘walkshop’ on the 24th, and short story writing and ‘literary exploration’ both on Sunday 25.
Poetry features as always with the Poetry Slam on Friday 23 evening – come and hear among others T S Eliot prize winner (2021) Joelle Taylorand have a go yourself – and on the Saturday the Poetry Hub introduced by Angela Dye and me.
First off at the Hub (Saturday 24, 11am), in Faversham’s medieval Guildhall in the centre of the town, I have the treat of reading with poets Bethany Goodwill and David Dykes who run the monthly poetry event Big Trouble in Rochester.
Fiona Sinclair, Nancy Charley and Clair Meyrick come next, then Amy Acre and Christopher Horton. At 2pm, Derek Sellen, Gary Studley and Greta Ross take over, followed by Katy Evans-Bush and Jacqueline Saphra. Maggie Harris and Setareh Ebrahimi read at 4pm, including an interview of Maggie, and at 5.25pm we close with the all-important Open Mic. All tickets are free – please come.
I’ll be marshalling too throughout the week – say hello if you’re there!
Rosie Johnston 