MONDAY, 9 MAY Beat Writer’s Block with Kim Fleet 11.30am–1pm, Tailors, £15/12 Limited to 12 places - advance booking only Do you want to write, but find yourself held back by procrastination, perfectionism or fear? In this fun workshop, we’ll look at the major causes of writer’s block and how to combat them. Bring a pen and paper, because we’ll be doing lots of writing and saying farewell to writer’s block. The Weather House – Simon Williams and Susan Taylor 5pm–6pm, The Strand, £6/4 On door £7/5
Chapter and Verse - The Beauty of Travel - Christopher Somerville, David Ashbee & Marianne Hellwig John 6.30pm–7.30pm, The Strand, £7/5 On door £8/6 Christopher Somerville, acclaimed travel writer and poet, returns to the festival to take you on more journeys. Christopher is Walking Correspondent of The Times and author of 40 books on people, landscape, and history, plus two collections of poetry – Extraordinary Flight and Greenwood Dark – both full of fascinating folk stories, legends and rural lore. Christopher Somerville is joined by David Ashbee and Marianne Hellwig John from the Cherington Poets.
Ever wondered what the man and woman in a Swiss weather house would have to say if they weren’t made of wood? Poets Simon Williams and Susan Taylor (Oversteps Press) celebrate the rain and shine of British weather and romantic love in this enchanting performance, which comes replete with lederhosen, pinafore dresses, and plenty of laughs!
Chapter and Verse - Cheltenham; an Alternative History - Kim Fleet and Angela France 8pm–9pm, The Strand, £6/4 On door £7/5 Do you see Cheltenham as a respectable and genteel town? Two exciting contemporary writers may make you think again. The seamier side of 18th Century Cheltenham is imagined in Kim Fleet’s novel Paternoster and the town’s anarchic and revolutionary spirit is celebrated in new poems by Cheltenham Poet in Residence Angela France. Join two celebrated writers for this exciting, literary exploration of our Regency town. The event also includes a Q & A. 9.