Coleford FESTIVAL of Words 2018
From John Hegley to Katie Fforde
It’s a times table remembering -2 fives, 3 threes plus one.
The thinking falls into place as you make your way through this years programme for the Coleford Festival of Words ….
John Hegley
a humourologist, touted as comic laureate –he, of stories of growing up in Luton who might at one point have grown up in Coleford -of living a childhood through a pair of glasses – of discovering his family link to French grand ma ma-
‘FABULOUSLY Funny’ Time Out!
Cup of Tea Poem
Tea, tea,tea,
tea, tea,tea, tea
tea
emp-tea
A John Hegley show has included, poems, songs, limericks, and cabbage dancing but who knows?- An evening of variety for all ages and humours…
Katie Fforde- author of 30 +- novels
‘I first became a writer because my mother gave me a writing kit. I’d been talking about wanting to write for years, but thought because I had three children, a dog, two cats and a husband who was away at sea a lot of the time, I wouldn’t have time to write. Nevertheless, my mother bought a kit full of paper, dictionaries, a thesaurus and Tipp-Ex, wrapped it up in a big bow and gave it to me for Christmas. It was the big kick that I needed. My New Year’s resolution for that year was to start writing my novel, and I’m ashamed to confess it’s the only New Year’s resolution I’ve ever kept.’
Why on the same page ?
Well both appeared in the very first Coleford Festival of Words in 2008- Katie came to the old Library building with a sell out talk about her work this year she is appearing at the Main Place above the new library.
10- years ago John Performed in Baptist Hall where he will be returning on sat 7th July.
It was a time when the Forest Bookshop still opened its doors to a flood of culture and things like HOOF and HOLD were unthought of threats to the Forest…and you couldn’t book tickets online…..
The annual festival has always offered a trifle of different ways to celebrate words giving a platform for local writers of all ages and bringing to Coleford a star studded and varied
range of activities…
CFWDS has explored
Hopewell Colliery,
Broadwell Evergreen Hall,
HOOF film premiere,
800 years of Forest Charter
the Nine Wells of Berry Hill
and hosted among a long list War Journalist Kate Adie,
singer songwriter Dick Brice,
Film Buff Barry Norman,
acclaimed local author Andrew Taylor
Environmentalist Jonathan Porritt,
dialect poet Keith Morgan,
Ex Met police comissioner Sir Ian Blair interviewed by Cinderford born BBC- reporter Ross Hawkins,
Free Miner Verderer Rich Daniels,
broadcaster, actor,writer and comedian Miles Jupp
photographers Daniel Meadows & Chris Morris
and last year Winner of the prestigious Ted Hughes award the brilliant Hollie McNish. 
This year the Festival runs from Monday 2nd in Coleford Baptist hall until Sunday 8th July with a picnic- finale in Buchanan Park with music- words and Cake!
Ten thrives through the programme of events there is an Open Mike on Monday at 7pm –
(we have had to make a change in published listings) so we are inviting 10 people to read their own work or a favourite extract or poem –
stay afterwards and join the words quiz from 8pm – To register see www.thecolefordhub.info …
There are a series of workshops for children and young people at Coleford Library
including two masterclass sessions on comic art one led by ‘Beano’ artist Kevin Sutherland another by Rob Etherington…. Book now to get a place…
If you are ten years old/- or have been 10- years old
Come along and tell us on Tuesday evening from 7-30pm at Taste n Tales in Coleford Library bring party food and stories to share..
Plus Loads more….
CFWDS programmes now available at Coleford Library and Coleford Tourist Office
Tickets for all events are now available see online at Eventbrite or ask at Coleford Library or Coleford Tourist office
Thanks to Art of Libraries, Coleford Town Council, Arts Council England and all local support
Coleford Festival of Words is a SOUNDWORK Community project
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