Welcome to Beverley Literature Festival 2007. With forty or so events for readers and writers of all ages, it’s fast becoming one of the most respected and distinctive literary festivals around. And I’m proud to say that it’s the work of our East Riding Library Service and the Festival Friends. Over the last six years they’ve run it as part of their efforts to put reading back at the heart of libraries and the community, and to celebrate the pleasures that creative writing and reading can bring. With authors ranging from Roddy Doyle, Simon Hoggart, Rosie Boycott and Helen Dunmore, to the less familiar worlds of Beowulf and Basque poetry, there’s certainly a lot of pleasure, learning and new reading experiences on offer. We'll be celebrating National Poetry Day in fine style with the great Australian poet Les Murray and we have a host of events for young people, in and out of schools, as part of our contribution to Children's Book Week. If you’d like to get up to speed on authors at the festival, why not call at you nearest library for further information - you'll get a warm welcome.

Happy reading!

Councillor Mrs. Barbara Jefferson, JP
Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council
 

This year we’ve more events taking place in libraries than ever before, many of them for families and young readers (see page 16-18). As we think that reading is one of unsung creative arts we’ve increased the opportunity for readers to talk in detail with authors. With some fine poets, novelists, historians and performers in store, join us for ten days of conversation, workshops, performances and pleasurable listening.

John Clarke
Festival Director

The Beverley Literature Festival is part of the East Riding Library Service’s literature development work through the Wordquake project. Wordquake receives regular funding from Arts Council England.

Who we are

The Beverley Literature Festival is part of the Wordquake project, which receives regular funding from Arts Council England, East Riding of Yorkshire Library Service and East Riding Arts Unit. Wordquake was set up to promote creative writing and reading throughout the East Riding of Yorkshire. Wordquake and The Beverley Literature Festival is managed by the part-time project-director Dr John Clarke and temporary, part-time festival assistant Glynis Charlton, and with professional advice, help and office support from East Riding Library Service.

Acknowledgments

Without Irene Ford’s help when we first set up the festival we’d have been sunk – our love and best wishes to her from everyone at the festival. Particular thanks to Jo Munro for her skill and generosity in volunteering to direct the programming and delivery of our children’s festival. And to Glynis Charlton for the enthusiasm and expertise with which she manages the running of the festival. Thanks also to Libraries and Information Support Team for running the Box Office.

We’d like to thank all the authors and staff at the venues we’ve used and the following organisations:

Funders
East Riding Library Service and Arts Council England, Yorkshire

Sponsors
Strategy Plus (designers of the festival website)

Supporters
Arc Publishers, Beverley Tourist Information Centre, Bloodaxe Books, Carcanet, Faber & Faber, HarperCollins, John Murray, Pan Macmillan, Penguin, Wrecking Ball Press, Random House, Time Warner Book Group.

Volunteers
Last year’s festival was transformed by the generous support of the Festival Volunteers. If you’d like to help out with the festival and enable it to grow, please get in touch with John Clarke on 07870 584889.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Following the success of our partnership with Strategy Plus (designers of our website), we’re keen to encourage further sponsorship. If you'd like to be associated with us as we develop, contact John Clarke on 07870 584889 to discuss your part in shaping the cultural life of Beverley and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

For tickets call the box office on 01482 392704/ 392706