LITERATURE lovers are in for a treat as an exciting new literature festival is to be held in Warrington next month.
Organised by LiveWire, Warrington LitFest runs at libraries across the borough from Saturday 4th to Saturday 11th June. It will celebrate all things literary in the borough and beyond, including storytelling, performances, creative writing, author visits and more.
From children’s activities to author talks – Warrington LitFest will feature a host of different events that will inspire and encourage the whole community to take part and get involved.
Jubilee-themed family day
The festival will kick off with a Jubilee-themed family fun day at Warrington Museum and Library on Saturday 4th June with stories, crafts and activities from community groups, including The Warrington Signing Choir, Mulan Culture and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. Local artist Stef Woof will be creating a piece of artwork on the day with the help of everyone who attends.
LitFest will continue for a full week at all our library sites and some community venues. There will be something for everyone with the aim to encourage reading for pleasure and welcome both regular library users and some new visitors to the events.
Highlights of the festival include:
- Drag Queen Story Hour UK
- An Evening with Author Sarah Ward – available online or in person
- The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists One Man Show
All events in the festival are free and the programme can be seen here
Emma Hutchinson, Managing Director of LiveWire, said: “After COVID caused us to cancel our 2020 LitFest just weeks before it was due to go ahead, we are delighted to be holding the inaugural Warrington LitFest this summer.
“Our aim is to create a week-long literary festival – bringing together a diverse range of events and activities – for people in Warrington of all ages and interests to enjoy. Building on our past experiences, strong partnerships and LiveWire’s ethos to improve people’s wellbeing we will build a lasting ‘love to read’ legacy that we hope will resonate with our library users and beyond.”
Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Community, Cllr Tony Higgins said: “Warrington Lit Fest is a great way for people to discover the joys of literature, and I’m looking forward to a diverse programme of events – from a Jubilee family fun day and storytelling sessions, to author events, performance and arts and crafts.
“It will be a special week, with our libraries and community venues springing to life with events and activities for people of all ages to enjoy – and it’s all free, so make sure you get involved in the festivities.”
| Date | Time | Location | Event |
| Monday 6th June | 1pm | Stockton Heath Library | How Aspirion Found Me with Florie Parker |
| Monday 6th June | 3pm | Westbrook Library | Three Wishes and a Sausage with Helen Stewart |
| Monday 6th June | 6:30pm | Lymm Library | Author talk with Mandy Byatt |
| Tuesday 7th June | 11am | Burtonwood Library | 247 poems with Dean Fraser |
| Tuesday 7th June | 6:30pm | Padgate Library | Mamas United: Stop Ironing, Start Living with Lousia Herridge |
| Tuesday 7th June | 6:30pm | Penketh Library (or online) | An Evening with Sarah Ward |
| Wednesday 8th June | 2pm | Orford Library | Tale of 3 writers with Carol Bissett, Liz Hedgecock and Michael Jackson |
| Wednesday 8th June | 2pm | Warrington Central Library | Celebrating Warrington with Janice Hayes |
| Wednesday 8th June | 6:30pm | Westbrook Library | Mums the Word with Rebecca Oxtoby |
| Thursday 9th June | 10am | LifeTime, The Gateway | Creative writing workshop with Bold Street Writers |
| Thursday 9th June | 11am | St Andrews Church, Orford | Chapter and Verse of Christian Poetry |
| Thursday 9th June | 6:30pm | Stockton Heath Library | The 26 by David Horner |
| Thursday 9th June | 6:30pm | Woolston Library | The Life of Crime by Martin Edwards |
| Friday 10th June | 10:30am | LifeTime, The Gateway | The New Open Gate – Writing and Poetry class with Terry Caffrey |
| Friday 10th June | 2pm | Birchwood Library | How to blog with Liz Hedgecock and Michael Jackson |
| Friday 10th June | 2:30pm | Culcheth Library | In search of democracy, dreaming of freedom with Janet Evans |
| Friday 10th June | 7pm | Padgate Library | The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Townsend Theatre Productions |
| Saturday 11th June | 12:30pm | Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub | Story time with Aida H D from Drag Queen Story Hour UK |
| Saturday 11th June | 11am and 2pm | Warrington Central Library | Lost by Kindred Folk Dance Theatre |
For more information on LiveWire’s Libraries please visit www.livewirewarrington.co.uk/libraries
