become a friend today and reAp the benefits
something to get your teeth into
Huge teeth, skulls and bones are just some of the finds at Gully Cave in Ebbor Gorge, whose origins Professor Danielle Schreve (University of Bristol) will bring vividly to life, as guest speaker at this year’s Friends event on 8 July.
Since 2006, she and her team have excavated thousands of Ice Age remains at the site including reindeer, brown bear, spotted hyaena and woolly rhinoceros, dating back 70 000 years. These, along with the tiny remains of voles and lemmings, were beautifully preserved beneath sheet-like layers of Mendip flowstone that protected them for millennia.
Together, they reveal fascinating insights into the effects of climate change on different species and how they responded to abrupt environmental change, a tale of shifting ranges, adaptation and extinction.
The work in Ebbor Gorge continues – so if you want to (virtually) join the dig, become a Friend and learn more from the comfort of Cedars Hall.
The Wells Festival of Literature Friends scheme offers members the chance to become a Patron of the Arts and be more involved with all aspects of the Wells Festival of Literature. The scheme encourages our audiences to become actively engaged with what the Festival seeks to achieve, ensuring that we continue to provide a stimulating, entertaining and popular programme in the years ahead.
With the ongoing support of our Friends, we hope to increase our educational work, and so further extend the love of literature and learning among the young people of our county.
Membership Details
The Friends Membership runs from 5 November 2024 to 4 November 2025. You can pay your 2025 membership fee online using your credit or debit card details, or by postal form if you wish to pay by cheque, standing order or bank transfer (BACS).
By Invitation only
Every year the Committee of Wells Festival of Literature says ‘Thank You’ to the Friends, Sponsors and supporters of the Festival at a unique event featuring a special speaker. This takes place early in July in advance of the main festival in October.
“I enjoyed everything about my time at the Wells Literary Festival – from the kindness and efficiency
of the organisers to the enthusiasm of the audience.
It’s a model festival which deserves to go from strength to strength.”
Jonathan Coe – 2024