Coleford Festival of Words 2009

Until 4 July – An exploration and celebration of words is taking place in the Forest of Dean once again this summer, for the Coleford Festival of Words 2009.

Guest speakers, local authors, interactive workshops, live performances, community events, poetry and storytelling will all feature in the Coleford Festival of Words, taking place in the Forest of Dean from Monday 29 June to Saturday 4 July 2009.

More than 500 people from the Forest of Dean and beyond took part in last summer’s Festival, with even more expected to enjoy the literary festivities this year.

Highlights from the 2009 Coleford Festival of Words are set to include:

John Hegley at the Coleford Festival of Words 2009

Monday 29 June 2009

Hilarious poet John Hegley is a long-time favourite at Gloucestershire festivals – and those spanning the length and breadth of the UK. He is set to have Forest of Dean fans at this year’s festival rolling with laughter when he performs poems from his bestselling books at Coleford Baptist Church. This event starts at 7.30pm and costs £10.

Adventures in the Book Trade and Making a Living as a Writer at the Coleford Festival of Words 2009

Tuesday 30 June 2009

Doug McClean, owner of the Forest Bookshop, will be telling the audience at Coleford Baptist Church about his half-a-century experience in the book business. This will be followed by experienced professional writers Shoo Ryaner and Andrew Taylor giving budding authors tips and advices for making a living from the trade. This event starts at 7.30pm and costs £3.50.

Barry Norman at the Coleford Festival of Words 2009

Wednesday 1 July 2009

Cricket fans will be able to hear Barry Norman talk about his love for the sport; how its rules developed; the golden age of the game and the growth of test match cricket; profiles of great players past and present; not to mention some bizarre facts and records that will prove a rich and insightful evening for sports fanatics from across the county. This event starts at 7.30pm and costs £4.

John Griffiths at the Coleford Festival of Words 2009

Thursday 2 July 2009

Coleford Baptist Church will play host to writer John Griffiths, who will be talking about his newly-revised
book Afghanistan Land of Conflict and Beauty, which reveals a nation living in the shadow of perpetual conflict. There will also be chance to put questions to the author. This event starts at 7pm and costs £2.50.

Kate Adie at the Coleford Festival of Words 2009

Saturday 3 July 2009

Coleford audiences will be offered a firsthand insight into the career of world renowned journalist Kate Adie, from working in regional TV to joining the BBC in 1979. With highlights including her coverage of the 1980 siege of the Iranian embassy and the brutal suppression of the student uprising in Tiananmen Square, the audience can expect to share her globe-trotting adventures. This event starts at 7.30pm and costs £8.

The Final Word at the Coleford Festival of Words 2009

Sunday 4 July 2009

Singer-songwriter Dick Brice, Forest dialect poet Keith Morgan, harpist Claire Hamilton, and Tessa Biddington the winner of the prestigious Forward Poetry Prize will be combining talents in an entertaining and very fitting finale to this year’s festival. This event starts at 7.30pm and costs £5.

As well as SoGlos.com’s highlights, Coleford Festival of Words 2009 will also be celebrating books written by Forest of Dean authors, there will be entertainment from storytellers Head ‘n’ Tales, and a chance to pick up some writing tips in a variety of workshops.

There will be evening cabaret performances from The Pukes and Fi Benson, family activities, film screenings, as well as links to artists’ open studios.

Event: Coleford Festival of Words 2009
Venues: See above for specific details
Dates: Monday 29 June to Saturday 4 July 2009
Times: Vary for specific events
Tickets: Vary in cost, and can be booked in advance. Contact the Forest Bookshop on (01594) 833334 for more information.

SoGlos.com
2 June 2009