Sedbergh Festival of Books & Drama 2009
Sedbergh, England’s Book Town is holding its fifth Festival of Books and Drama between 18th and 27th September. The theme this year is Travel and Adventure and the wide-ranging programme features some great travel writers, adventurers and entrepreneurs in the travel business.
Director Carole Nelson said, “We are really lucky to have attracted some ‘bonkers people’, no that’s not the way to describe eminent publishers but it just might be the way to describe someone who walked across Africa! So we have a helping of mad but determined adventurers, Mark Ellingham who started Rough Guides and other travellers of note”. We are also very pleased to have Michael Grey, the authority on Bob Dylan who will be talking about Bob Dylan and the Poetry of the Blues, after all much of the poetry that is part of everyone’s life is written in the form of lyrics and if that’s the case Dylan is a Poet Laureate.
Local writers are well represented with Chris Wadsworth's new book “Hercules and the Farmer’s Wife” based around Castlegate House Gallery in Cockermouth and John Rice’s “The Atlantic Arc” a creative travelogue resulting from his recent trip to the North Atlantic Islands.
- Details of events
- In-school Workshops and Talks
- Booking information
- How to find us
- Bookshops etc.
- Eating In or Eating Out in Sedbergh
- Next year’s; Festival
- Wigtown Festival
- Acknowledgements
- Download a copy of the printed festival brochure as a PDF file (requires Acrobat Reader)
(Printed copies of the brochure are available from the Sedbergh Tourist Information Office)
Details of events
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Sunday 30th August
Event 0,
“Tree”
New writing on wood, trees and the forest.St. Andrew’s Church, 7:30pm (during St Andrew’s Flower Festival)
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Friday 18th September
Event 1,
The Verona Chard Band: “Travels With My Aunt”
This evening of music themed around Graham Greene’s comic novel from 1969 will set the theme of our festival: travel and adventure.People’s Hall, 7:30pm
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Saturday 19th September
Event 2,
Andi Chapple and Musicians: “Suspense — Does Not Conclude —”
A performance of Emily Dickinson’s poems set to English hymn tunes of the era.URC Rooms, 12 noon for lunch; performance 1:00pm
Event 3,
Out of the Comfort Zone
A series of talks and conversations with great travellers and travel writers, chairman Col. Tony Reed Screen. Refreshments will be available all evening."People’s Hall, 7:00pm
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Sunday 20th September
Event 4,
On Shanks’s Pony
On your own two feet, the best way to travel? New guide books to the Fells and Dales.People’s Hall, 2:00pm
Event 5,
Ann Lingard
Ann Lingard will be talking, with readings, and ‘props’ of pictures and interesting, even surprising, objects, about her latest novel, “The Embalmer’s Book of Recipes”, which is set mainly in present–day Cumbria.Westwood Books, 4:00pm
Event 6,
Poetry Please
The Rose Community Theatre plus friends and associates present an evening of well known (and not so well known) poems old and new, from the comic to the profound – read and performed by members of RCT and particularly featuring the children.St Andrew’s Church, 7:30pm
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Monday 21st September
Event 7,
Pat Buckley: “Down Under, Roundabout and Up There”
An independent lady traveller who says just about the only place she hasn’t been to is Tenerife, tells us about her experiences everywhere else! Pat Buckley is sure that travelling alone creates the best adventures and finds the best friends.People’s Hall, 2:30pm
Event 8,
Cumbrian Lives and Times
A look at two very different books drawn from experiences of life in the county.People’s Hall, 7:30pm
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Tuesday 22nd September
Event 9,
Vivien Jones presents excepts from her new book “Perfect 10”'
These girls and women have two things in common; fat, and a happenstance connection with Jimmy at the Chippie.URC Church, 2:30pm
Event 10,
Prof. Denis Judd: “The Private Diaries of Alison Uttley, 1932 – 1971”
Fifty years ago Alison Uttley established herself as one of the best-loved and best-selling writers for children. Marking the 125th anniversary of her birth, the publication of the Diairies will provide an excellent opportunity to reassess the literary reputation one of the most remarkable of British writers for both children and adults.URC Church, 7:45pm
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Wednesday 23rd September
Event 11,
The Inspiration of the Far North
The Far North revealed in wonderful photography and insightful writingJohn Arden Theatre, Busk Lane, 7:00pm
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Thursday 24th September
Event 12,
Ancient Egypt Comes To Sedbergh – A very special book launch
The audio-visual launch of an entertaining new book which focuses on the eternal mystery of the Pyramids of Egypt, “The Spirit In The Wheel”, should fit the bill perfectly.People’s Hall, 7:30pm
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Friday 25th September
Event 13, Nigel Jay: “And No Wings”
'Broadcaster Nigel Jay has been a well-known face and voice in the North West since the 1970s. “And No Wings” is his new novel which deals with the burning questions of today ... from the point of view of God and a very grumpy angel Gabriel who describes the human race as ‘cretins’! The book is both thought-provoking and very funny.URC Church, 12 noon for light lunches; talk 1:00pm
Event 14,
Michael Gray: “Bob Dylan and the Poetry of the Blues”
Michael Gray’s talk is lively and spontaneous, witty and acute, using unpredictable slices of music to offer a thoroughly entertaining, fresh account of Dylan’s achievement.John Arden Theatre, Busk Lane, 7.45pm
Event 15,
Robert Burns, Reader and Protest Writer
Cairns Mason FSA (Scot) explores what Burns read and wrote, showing he was a pioneer in voicing protest through powerful words and music.URC Church, 6:00 – 7:00pm
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Saturday 26th September
Event 16,
Catherine Smith: “The Mysterious Robert Burns” and “Robert Burns and the Dignity of Man”
Two presentations by Catherine Smith, author of “The Stars of Robert Burns”URC Church and rooms, 11.30am – 2:00pm
Event 17,
The Social Actor. A Workshop with Jon Oram
A meeting and workshop for everyone of any age who is interested in being part of the 2011 Sedbergh Community Play projectMethodist Church Rooms, New Street, 10:00am
Event 18,
Vitali Vitaliev: “Life as a Literary Device”
Memory is like a scrap book, says the Ukranian–born cultural commentator and journalist Vitali Vitaliev, whose life has been spent exploring the curious and unusual manifestations of human life around the world since he was expelled from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.URC Church, 7:30pm
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Sunday 27th September
Event 19,
“Traversa”: A solo walk across Africa
Critically acclaimed author and public speaker Fran Sandham walked from Namibia’s Skeleton Coast to the Indian Ocean near Zanzibar, a 3,000–mile trek taking nearly a year. Traversa is the engaging account of this remarkable journey.John Arden Theatre, Busk Lane, 7.45pm
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Wednesday 28th October
And last but not least, a few weeks after the main body of the Festival ... the return of the Ha! Ha! Boys (and girl this time)
Event 20,
Ha Ha Hitler! – The Great–ish Escape
Following the hit national tour of Ha Ha Hamlet! The Ha Ha Boys bring you
their spin on The Great Escape. The Most Hilarious Wartime Story Never ToldPeople’s Hall, 8:00pm
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In-school Workshops and Talks
Catherine Smith: Robert Burns and Astronomy
For school children aged 11 to 16Robert Burns was born in 1759 as Halley’s Comet reappeared, confirming Kepler’s Laws, giving birth to the space age. Hear how the comet inspired Burns with a lifetime interest in astronomy and dreams of space travel. Catherine Smith is the author of “The Stars of Robert Burns”.
Ross Collins – workshop in Sedbergh Primary School
Ross Collins is the award–winning author and illustrator of children’s books with grisly titles such as “Germs” and “Dear Vampa”, about a vampire Grandpa.Gareth Thompson – workshop in Settlebeck School
Gareth Thompson was born in northern England in 1964. Since graduating from the London College of Printing he has worked for United Newspapers, directed performing arts for adults with learning difficulties, worked as Deputy Editor for Whatsonstage.com and as a sub–editor at the Press Association. Gareth has written three very successful novels for young people set in Cumbria, the latest is “Anarchist’s Angel”. Fifteen–year–old Samson Ashburner has always felt like an outsider – even before the accident that left his face scarred and his confidence shattered. With the jeers and taunts of the local children and his mother ringing in his ears, Samson malingers like a dark cloud over the Cumbrian landscape. His only refuge is his ancestor’s charcoal–burning hut deep in the nearby woods and it is here that he encounters Angel Obscura, a gypsy girl who teaches Samson that not everybody takes him at face value. But Angel is not all that she seems, and Samson is drawn into a web of deceit and shady dealings with an explosive outcome.John Rice – “Writing and illustrating my travels” – workshop in Settlebeck School
Writer and poet John Rice will work with young people on a project around the school’s visit to Derwentwater. Top
Booking information
- Using our online box office www.sedberghbooktown.co.uk/webshop/
- By phone to 015396 20125 using a credit card.
- By personal visit.
- By post to:
Sedbergh Tourist Information Centre,Cheques should be made payable to Sedbergh Book Town.
72 Main Street,
Sedbergh,
Cumbria
LA10 5AD.
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How to find us
Sedbergh is on the A684. Leave the M6 at Junction 37 and drive 5 miles east through the stunning Howgill landscape to the town … it couldn’t be simpler! The nearest train stations are Oxenholme (Lake District) 10 miles, Garsdale 10 miles and Kirkby Stephen 12 miles.
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Bookshops etc.
Dales & Lakes Book Centre
015396 20125
Avril’s Books at Farfield
Garsdale Road, 07967 638503
Bertrams
The Bookseller
Harvest Books
Sleepy Elephant
www.sleepyelephant.net
Westwood Books
Henry Wilson Books
Sedbergh Library
Main Street, 015396 20186
Books for all ages, DVDs, local & national newspapers, local what’s on guides, internet access. Speakers, visitors and audiences attending the Festival especially welcome.
Open Monday 5pm - 7pm, Wednesday 10am - 12.30pm & 2 - 5pm, Friday 2 - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 12.30pm.
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Eating In or Eating Out in Sedbergh
Ellie’s Tea Room & Bakery
57 Main Street, 015396 21058
Open weekdays 8am - 4pm,
Sat 8.30am - 4pm, Sun 10am - 4pm
Happy Valley, (Takeaway Chinese food)
14-16 Main Street, 015396 21277
Sun - Thu 5pm - 11pm (closed Tues),
Fri & Sat 5pm - 11.30pm
Post Office Café
24-26 Main Street, 015396 20406
Open weekdays 9am - 5pm,
Sat & Sun 9am - 4.30pm
White Rose Fisheries & Café
Main Street, 015396 20468
The Sedbergh Café
30 Main Street, 015396 21389
Free internet access and wireless internet connection for customers’ use
Open every day 10am - 6pm
Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant
30a Main Street, 015396 20000
Open Sun - Thur 5.30pm -10.30pm,
Fri & Sat 5.30pm - 11.30pm
Duo Café Bar & Bistro
32 Main Street, 015396 20552
Free wireless internet connection for customers’ use
Open daily for snacks, coffee and cakes with a selection of home made fresh foods
Evening meals Thursday to Sunday 6:00pm ’til late.
Weavers Tea Room
Farfield Mill Arts & Heritage Centre,
Garsdale Road, 015396 21958
Open every day 10am - 5pm
Town Centre Pubs:
The Bull, The Dalesman and The Red Lion.
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Next year’s Festival
Why not sign up to our mailing list now and we'll send you further news about next year’s festival and other major events in Sedbergh they become available.
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Wigtown Book Festival: 25 September – 4 October 2009
A decade ago Wigtown became Scotland’s National Book Town. Since then this tiny town has been transformed from dilapidated backwater into distinguished literary capital, while its book festival has grown into one of the autumn’s bestloved arts gatherings.
Authors this year include include Iain Banks, Roddy Doyle, Kenny Logan, Roberta Taylor, Giles Foden, Allan Little, Max Arthur, Louis de Bernieres, Charlie Allan, Sara Maitland and Allan Massie.
As part of Scotland’s Homecoming 2009 celebrations, this autumn Wigtown will be hosting a unique festival–within–a–festival celebrating the connections between whisky and writing. With music, tastings and some of the world’s top whisky experts – including Charlie MacLean, Gavin Smith, Ian Buxton and Robin Laing and Dave Broom – it will appeal to anyone who has ever curled up with a book and a dram.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to to acknowledge the help and support of the many bookshops, businesses, organisations, hotels & B&Bs, schools, venues and tourist attractions which have supported the festival so positively this year. Also, grateful thanks to all the Tourist Information staff, Book Town committee members, volunteer staff and other dedicated individuals who have shown such allegiance to the project.
