Bishop’s Stortford College Festival of Literature 2017
05 Dec 2016
The eighth annual Bishop’s Stortford College Festival of Literature will take place from 2nd – 9th February 2017. The Festival line-up will include something for everyone, and the College welcomes the entire community to celebrate storytelling in all its forms.
On Friday 3rd February, the first Open Event will see literature brought to life through storytelling, vibrant illustrations and music with Marcia Williams and the Bishop’s Stortford College Orchestra and choirs. On Saturday afternoon, Jo Wheatley; the BBC’s second The Great British Bake Off winner, will be sharing her culinary tips and expertise, all served up with a College afternoon tea. That same evening, there will be a talk from writer, journalist and BBC Radio 6 Music broadcaster Stuart Maconie.
The Festival celebrates members of the local writing community on Monday 6th February where writers Alice Audley, Hina Belitz, Sara Hirsch and Lucy Saxon will share how they have succeeded in writing, journalism, and performance poetry. On Tuesday 7th, Dave Cornthwaite will inspire and excite through his tales of adventures big and small, most of them self-powered and a thousand miles long. Award-winning journalist Luke Harding will follow, with an insight into life as a foreign correspondent as he talks with Jason Cowley, editor of The New Statesman.
On Wednesday 8th February, Nicola Morgan will be sharing advice related to teenage stress and how to turn stress into something positive. This will be a followed by a talk from book club favourite, Joanne Harris, about her latest novel, Different Class.
The Festival of Literature also provides opportunities to celebrate poetry; this year the College welcomes A.F. Harrold and Roger McGough, both known for their wit, sense of humour, and of course excellent poetry.
In addition to these Open Events, the Bishop’s Stortford College Festival of Literature will also welcome younger audiences to share in a variety of Schools Events; this year, the line-up includes Kjartan Poskitt, Julian Sedgwick, Paul Jackson and of course the ever-popular Bishop’s Stortford Picture Book Award.
Tickets will be available online from 17th November.
www.bishopsstortfordcollege.org/3575/festival-of-literature-2017
Updates on ticket releases will be announced on Facebook and Twitter; @BSCFestLit
Event Summary and Ticket Prices
Friday 3rd February
Storytelling and Music
with Marcia Williams and the Bishop’s Stortford College Orchestra
Experience a unique combination of storytelling, illustration, and music.
7.00pm – 9.00pm
Ticket: Adults £7.50; 7-18s £5
Saturday 4th February
Jo Wheatley
Enjoy a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and baking demonstration by Jo Wheatley.
3.15pm – 4.15pm
Tickets: £20
Stuart Maconie
A journey through Britain with this best-selling writer, broadcaster and popular culture expert.
7.30pm – 9.30pm
Tickets: £18
Monday 6th February
Talking Talent: The Art of the Wordsmith
Discover how four local writers have forged exciting creative careers.
6.00pm – 7.00pm
Tickets: Adults £7.50; 13-18s £5
- F. Harrold
An evening of poetry and comedy with performer and poet A.F. Harrold.
8.00pm – 9.00pm
Tickets: Adults £7.50; 10-18s £5
Tuesday 7th February
Dave Cornthwaite
This record-breaking adventurer shares his passion for exploration and always saying ‘Yes’.
6.00pm – 7.00pm
Tickets: Adults £7.50; 8-18s £5
Luke Harding
WikiLeaks journalist Luke Harding gives an insight into life as a foreign correspondent, in conversation with The New Statesman editor Jason Cowley.
7.30pm – 8.30pm
Tickets: Adults £7.50; 13-18s £5
Wednesday 8th February
Nicola Morgan
A chance to learn stress-busting skills from an international expert on adolescence and teenage stress.
6.30pm – 7.30pm
Tickets: Adults £7.50; 11-18s £5
Joanne Harris
Book club favourite Joanne Harris discusses her latest novel.
8.00pm – 9.00pm
Tickets: Adults £7.50; 14-18s £5
Thursday 9th February
Roger McGough
Poems full of witty wordplay are being served up with ‘Poetry Pie’.
7.30pm – 8.30pm
Tickets: £12
Schools Events (open for school bookings only)
Friday 3rd February
Marcia Williams
Find out how a collection of letters, cigarette cards, medals, and dead beetles were turned into a book about World War One.
An event for Year 3 pupils.
Monday 6th February
Paul Jackson
Bringing the curriculum to life through storytelling.
An event for Year 1 and 2 pupils
Julian Sedgwick
Using ghost stories, video and circus skills, Julian introduces pupils to the exotic world of 1920s China.
An event for Year 6 pupils
Tuesday 7th February
A. F. Harrold
Things You Find in a Poet’s Beard…
Ferguson Lecture Theatre
An event for Year 4 pupils.
Matt Dickinson
Be inspired by Matt’s tales of adventure to Antarctica, the summit of Everest, and the top of the highest live volcano in the world.
An event for Year 7 and 8 pupils.
Wednesday 8th February
The Bishop’s Stortford Picture Book Award
Presented by Korky Paul
Find out who the winner of the 2017 Picture Book Award is…
An event for participating schools.
Thursday 9th February
Kjartan Poskitt
Explore number tricks, flexagons, and Murderous Maths!
An event for Year 5 pupils.