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Survival, spies and justice
Wells Festival of Literature this year plays its part in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War with gripping accounts from two authors of survival and espionage. A third writer brings a current message of hope in the battle for justice and holding war criminals to account. Historian Anne Sebba,…
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A taste of things to Come
Fermented foods, late love and an elephant trek are just some of the intriguing range of topics that mark the first weekend of Wells Festival of Literature in October. Among the speakers are Professor Tim Spector on a mission to bring the art of fermenting into our lives and kitchens with a new book Ferment…
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Poetry Play Kits Shared
Wells Festival of Literature Education Team has bought 17 of these amazing Poetry Play Kits by past Children’s Poet Laureate, Joseph Coelho. They make poetry fun and are packed with games and activities for ages 6+. The kits will be making their way to 3 local schools, this is just one of our many new…
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Join the dig!
Palaeontologist, Professor Danielle Schreve (University of Bristol), is to be guest speaker at our special launch event at Wells Festival of Literature. She will give a fascinating account of the finds from an excavation project at Gully Cave in nearby Ebbor Gorge. The talk takes place on the evening of 8 July and is by…
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International Competitions Open
1 April to 30 June 2025 The International Competitions are open – no April Fool’s Day this – but a reminder that you have just three months in which to enter if you want the chance of becoming one of this year’s winners. The clock starts ticking from today 1 April until 5pm on 30…
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Success Story
An author who was twice shortlisted in the Short Story competition is about to see publication of his debut novel The Margaret Code. Richard Hooton entered the competition seven years ago with two stories – both shortlisted – which gave him the confidence to continue writing. These were Mr Flint and the Fire, and The…
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Poetry motivator
Reading and writing motivator Joffre White, author of Aura Boy, spent a happy time at Longvernal Primary in Midsomer Norton earlier this month where his workshop enthused the youngsters. The class teacher thanked Wells Festival of Literature for organising the event, saying “Joffre was absolutely brilliant and a very lovely man. The children had a…
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Vending event
There’s nothing like the magic of high tech to promote learning in youngsters, and there was great excitement at the launch of a new book vending machine this month at Kings Academy, Cheddar. Half the cost was funded by Wells Festival of Literature’s education team as part of the festival’s year-round programme of promoting literacy…
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School Visits
Profits from Wells Festival of Literature fund a year-round programme of exciting events in local schools to promote learning. These range from author visits to book donations and even trips to Waterstones bookshop. Already this year there have been several author-led workshops, including children’s author AF Harrold who has visited several local schools as part…
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Happy Days!
Looking back on the 2024 Festival, it’s almost impossible to decide who enjoyed it most. Was it the speakers themselves? There were 35 of them, each with a very different tale to tell, all fascinating and all inspirational in the telling. But then what about the interviewers, including our dedicated Festival Associates? It certainly looks…
