Frodsham to host top stars for words festival in May

Jenny Eclair, Lemn Sissay and Louise Minchin are all coming to Frodsham in May. <i>(Image: Weaver Words.)</i>
Jenny Eclair, Lemn Sissay and Louise Minchin are all coming to Frodsham in May. (Image: Weaver Words.)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

TOP stars including Cheshire-based presenter Louise Minchin plus stand-up comedy legend Jenny Eclair and author Lemn Sissay are coming to a Frodsham festival.

The trio head an impressive line-up of talks, events, workshops and writing competitions at Cheshire’s seventh Weaver Words Literature Festival, based at Frodsham Community Centre from Saturday, May 3 to Sunday, May 11.

Gerald Dickens, great-great-grandson of the famous author Charles Dickens, returns to give a stunning one-man show telling the story of his famous relative’s novel, Nicholas Nickleby with others lined up.

Festival manager Lynn Pegler said: “We’re delighted to have assembled a fantastic line-up for Frodsham’s seventh literature festival.

“Our theme of ‘Celebrating Cheshire’ has provided inspiration for several wonderful events, including a tour to Lewis Carroll’s birthplace in Daresbury, afternoon tea in the company of Elizabeth Gaskell and author Nell Stevens.

“And a fascinating look at the county’s role in the English Civil War within historical fiction.

OTHER NEWS:

“We are grateful to all our sponsors and partners for their kind support and to the dedicated volunteers who give their time and expertise to bring Weaver Words to life.”

The festival will explore the ‘Future of the Media’ with four experts from social media, print, broadcast and academia leading a fascinating debate into the recent impact of artificial intelligence, fake news and the digital Wild West.

The theme in 2025 is ‘A Celebration of Cheshire’, with a focus on great Cestrian literary connections, from Lewis Carroll to Elizabeth Gaskell, plus new Cheshire writers aiming to make their mark.

Weaver Words patron Tim Firth will be guest speaker at a literary dinner in Frodsham’s Main Street Kitchen restaurant, as well as providing musical entertainment at the Gala Evening, with poet Lynn Pegler.

For young children between four and eight, there are fantastic cartoon stories and games with award-winning authors Natalie Reeves Billing and Jude Lennon in Animates Action Stations.

And for adults there will again be an array of creative workshops on offer, from poetry writing with Jean Atkin aboard the impressive Danny Steamship, moored at the Anderton Boat Lift, and more.

Sponsored by Encirc glass manufacturers, RSK (Helsby), Main Street Kitchen and Rotary, the festival will again feature two creative writing competitions with around £500 on offer in prize money for adults (under 300 words).

For children aged seven-14, the Great Weaver Words Writing Prize provides £300 worth of prizes, judged by festival patron Tim Firth.

Closing dates for entries are Sunday, April 6 and Friday, March 28, respectively.

For more details see the festival website www.weaverwords.org.uk or call the box office on 0333 666 3366.

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos