Popular literary event returns to Blackpool with a stellar line-up

Blackpool’s popular festival of literature and arts, Wordpool, is back for 2015.
Coun Gillian CampbellCoun Gillian Campbell
Coun Gillian Campbell

The event – which runs from July 1 to July 4 – is now in its ninth year and will again feature a host of top authors, poets and speakers as well as a free family fun day known as Story Safari.

The family fun day will feature up to 20 different events, activities and attractions all crammed in to three hours from 1pm on Saturday June 4.

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Children (or those who are children at heart) can become a safari character themselves by making a magical mask to wear during all the activities and people taking part can bring a picnic or join the Tiger’s Tea Party.

For those with a more grown-up literary focus there are also a range of events.

Wordpool launches on Wednesday, July 1 at 6pm at the Mazzei Café at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens with an evening of words, music and performance poetry from Tony Walsh.

It’s then followed up by a packed day ofn events at Central Library on Thursday, July 2.

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First on the bill at 11am and 12.30pm respectively are Ali Shaw and Tasha Kavanagh, two new novelists.

Lancaster University graduate Ali authored The Man Who Rained – an atmospheric novel described as “like an adult fairy tale” – and will give a talk about his life and work.

Tasha, meanwhile, is a former film editor whose credits include Hollywood blockbusters like Twelve Monkeys and The Talented Mr Ripley.

She recently released her debut novel, Things We Have In Common, having cut her teeth writing children’s books.

At 2.30pm is crime writer, Elly Griffiths.

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Author of the successful Ruth Galloway Series, she will talk about her new novel The Ghost Girl.

Husband and wife crime writing duo Bob and Carol Bridgestock, consultants for TV series Happy Valley and Scott and Bailey, follow her at 4pm

Wordpool fans can also enjoy a performance from the Fylde Coast Youth Dance Company at 5.30pm before Manchester-based, Collette Snowden, discusses her debut novel The Secret of Not Drowning, at 6pm.

There are more authors on July 3 at Central Library

Coun Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The calibre of authors and performers this year is sky high as well and there are a range of interesting talks and events that are ideal for people of all ages.

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All library events include drinks and a snack and tickets cost £3 with 50p off for library members.

Members can also buy a Wordpool festival pass, entitling you to entry to and refreshments at all the events, for £16 (£12 for Blackpool Library members) and day passes are available for Thursday and Friday priced at £10 (£8) and £8 (£6) respectively.

To buy tickets, visit Central Library today or go to www.eventbrite.co.uk and search “Wordpool”.

For details, visit www.blackpoolwordpool.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/wordpool or www.twitter.com/wordpoolfest.

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