A weekend with words in King’s Lynn

PUBLISHED: 10:51 20 September 2016 | UPDATED: 10:51 20 September 2016

The King's Lynn Town Hall is the venue for the Literary Festival events happening this month

© Archant Norfolk 2015

Heidi Williamson will be discussing her latest collection of poems 'The Print Museum' on Friday September 30th

Meet, greet and even have lunch with thought-provoking and award-winning poets at this year’s King’s Lynn Poetry Festival. Six events are being held over one weekend, allowing the public to hear from some of the best contemporary poets and writers in a friendly and informal setting. Taking place at the Town Hall in King’s Lynn, from Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2, the events will enable authors to read from and discuss their works, as well as being available to chat and sign purchases from the festival’s book stall. Visitors to the morning sessions will also be invited to join the writers and festival organisers for lunch at restaurants near to the festival venue.

The festival begins with a special evening bringing together three great poets. King’s Lynn favourite, Kit Wright, who has written more than 25 books, for adults and children, will be appearing with Swaffham-born poet Heidi Williamson, who studied poetry at the University of East Anglia and who is also a tutor and writing coach who has been writer in residence at the John Jarrold Printing Museum in Norwich. Heidi will be reading from her second collection and will be appearing with contemporary Scottish poet Lachlan Mackinnon.

Wendy Cope will be appearing on Saturday October 1st

Saturday includes the festival’s traditional discussion, which this year will deal with poetry in translation from Homer to the present day, and under the hand of chairman John Lucas. Matthew Caley returns to the festival to lead the Saturday afternoon session and will be joined by Suffolk-based national poetry competition winner Christopher James, and Philip Larkin prize-winner Mel Pryor. In the evening the popular Wendy Cope appears with the wonderful Alan Brownjohn, now aged 86 and still writing.

Long term admirers of the festival will be thrilled to see Gavin Ewart receive homage in what would have been his centenary year. Gavin was a staunch supported of the festival in its early years and he and his were always happily received there. The celebration will be chaired by his great friend, Kit Wright. The festival will conclude with a raffle draw for a book handwritten by all the writers in the festival.

Alan Brownjohn, at the age of 85 is still writing poetry and will be appearing on Saturday October 1st

Dates:

Friday, September 30

7:30pm

Lachlan Mackinnon, Heidi Williamson and Kit Wright

Saturday, October 1

11am

Discussion of poetry in translation

3pm

Matthew Caley, Mel Pryor and Christopher James

8pm

Wendy Cope and Alan Brownjohn

Sunday, October 2

11am

Elaine Feinstein and Josep Lluís Aguiló

3pm

Discussion of Gavin Ewart at 100

Tickets for the events are £8.50 per person (£1 for students) or a season ticket for the whole festival for £37.50 (£5 students). These are available on 01553 691661 (office hours), by post, or in person from Hawkins Ryan Solicitors, Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, PE30 1JW. www.lynnlitfests.com