Time to update you on my plans to mingle with the literati here in the south west over the next couple of months.
This coming weekend sees the start of the 10-day Ways with Words, a festival of words and ideas (love that coupling) at Dartington in Devon. I have my eye on several sessions, which could mean more than one trip over the next week. The festival runs from July 4-14; full details of all the events can be found in the programme.
Not long after that – and I’m very excited about this one – is the Curious Arts Festival in Lymington from 18-20 July. It’s the whole festival thing, wrapped up in a family friendly package of literary events with authors such as Deborah Levy (!) and Nathan Filer, a children’s tent with movie screenings and author events as well as a Jabberwocky Hunt, fairground rides and some very cool live music. All in a beautiful setting: Pylewell Park in the New Forest. Can’t wait.
A breather in August for some Italian culture and inspiration (more on that another time), before heading down to the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, which runs from 18-21 September. It’s a packed programme once again and with Hilary Mantel an ever-loyal attendee, the festival keeps going from strength to strength. The box office opens on July 28th – set a reminder on your phone because the hot tickets will sell out fast.
Janis Lane 