Elmbridge Literature Festival - November 2006
Book lovers and all those with literary tastes in Thames Ditton are in for a treat in November, when The R C Sherriff Trust and Elmbridge Borough Council, working in partnership, put on the Borough's first Literature Festival.
Inspired by the success of our first Literary Competition, 'Cook up a Story', that attracted nearly one hundred entries in 2005, the decision was made to programme a much bigger event around this year's competition, "On My Way", tapping into the obvious literary interest that abounds in the Borough and enabling more people to become involved. A general invitation was issued, in March, to local organisations and, in June, to schools, to participate in a month-long Literature Festival in November.
We have been heartened by the response from the local community: schools, libraries, bookshops, community centres, arts venues, drama groups, creative writing groups, reading groups, the poetry café, individual poets, playwrights, authors and novelists have signed up, creating a really varied and exciting programme, which will take place in venues right across the borough. Many participants have taken the competition theme of travel and journeys as the inspiration for their own contributions.
The Vera Fletcher Hall is hosting a fascinating series of events (see 'Curtain Up' in this issue) and a Royston Pike Lecture by local author Adrienne Dines, "Hitting the Ground Running," on 30th November to conclude the Festival. There will also be a free Storytime, for children aged 3 - 5, at the Dittons Library on Tuesday 9th November, from 2.00 - 2.30pm. Places can be booked by calling 0208 398 2521.
In addition to these local events, there will be a Storybus touring the Borough one Saturday; creative writing workshops in both prose and poetry; playreadings; talks by authors; literary teas and suppers; children's theatre; and, of course, public readings of the winning entries from the "On My Way" competition. There should be something for everyone, whatever your age and taste; so please come along to as many events as you can and help make the Festival a success. The official Festival launch is scheduled for 28th September, from which date a brochure, detailing all the events and how to book, will be available from the R C Sherriff Trust* or from Elmbridge Borough Council** at the Civic Centre in Esher. The same information will also be published on their websites and we will pick out events in Thames Ditton and Weston Green on our own website's 'what's on' page.
Festival venues, such as the Vera Fletcher Hall, and Riverhouse Barn in Walton, will hold a stock of brochures as well.Don't forget, the closing date for the literary competition is 27th October, so you still have time to enter your poem or short story. Entry forms can be obtained from the R C Sherriff Trust, the Civic Centre, riverhouse barn, Weybridge Books or any public library. Get those imaginations working!
*R C Sherriff Trust, Case House, 85-89 High Street, Walton-on-Thames KT12 1DZ;
telephone 01932 235 990;
email arts@rcsherrifftrust.org.uk.
Web: : www.rcsherrifftrust.org.uk
**Maggs Latter, Arts Development Officer, Elmbridge Borough Council at the Civic Centre in Esher;
telephone 01372 474 584;
email mlatter@elmbridge.gov.uk.