THE response to Watchet’s first literary festival, due to take place in 10 venues in the town from February 16 to 18, has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’, the organisers reported this week.
“We have had amazing support from local businesses and venues for this new venture, the Words In Watchet Festival,” said spokesperson Anne Lovejoy.
“With 19 events offering every aspect of the written and spoken word from storytelling to crime writing, Exmoor ponies to Coleridge, we hope there is something to interest and inspire everyone.
“Or, if you want to write yourself, there will be workshops for every age group.
“If the early bookings are anything to go by, this new Watchet festival is going to be welcome addition to its vibrant calendar.”
A children’s book trail will take place across the weekend starting at the visitor’s centre.
SATURDAY
Saturday will see a packed programme, starting with 'Around the World on 80 Horses' a free children's workshop with Jill Newton. Accompanied children aged 5-8 years - at 10am-11am or 11.15am-12.15pm at The Sanctuary. Booking required.
Warlocks in Watchet Workshop with fantasy writer P.J. Reed will be 10.00am-12pm, in the Phoenix Centre. For children aged 9-16. Free event but booking required.
Poet Ralph Hoyte - Christabel Released Sessions (Parts 1-4). Ralph has completed Coleridge’s masterpiece and performs the epic Gothic poem in four sessions from 10:30am-2.50pm in the Harbour Community Bookshop. Free event but booking required.
Bestselling crime novelist Damien Boyd will present A Life of Crime’ from 11am-1pm, at Watchet Methodist church. His series, set in Somerset and featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon, has sold over three million copies worldwide. Tickets £7.
Watchet Jack and the Mud Monster and Derek the Goose by Andrew Homer. Animations based on Andrew’s children’s books. Repeated between 10.30am and 12.30pm in Andrew’s studio behind St Margaret’s Hospice shop off Swain Street.
Storytelling sessions in the Library at 11am and 12pm.
'Walking - and talking - with the extraordinary Samuel Taylor Coleridge' with Terence Sackett is a lively talk presented at 11am-11.30am or 3pm-3.30pm at the Harbour Community Bookshop. Free event but booking required.
A fun-filled workshop with author Emma Bettridge and her dog Nell for children aged 5-8 years. This will be in the Creator Space at the East Quay 2pm-4pm. Tickets £5.
Adult workshop. Aspiring authors will learn a lot from 'So You Want to Write a Book?' with Hellen Riebold and Anna Buttimore which is at 2pm-4pm at the Sanctuary. Everything you need to know. Tickets £7.
A fantasy writing workshop with Chris Crockford, author of the Molly Kane series, will be at 2pm-3.30pm at the Phoenix Centre. Create your own words and characters. For ages 14-plus. Free event but booking required.
Celia Andrews – ‘The Watsons Revisited’ continuing Jane Austen. How would this unfinished novel had ended if Jane Austin had lived to complete it? Find out at the Watchet Methodist Church, 2.30pm-4pm. Tickets £7.
'Turning the Tables on Burnout' with Ann Diment is at 5pm-6pm at the East Quay Kitchen. Invaluable tips and techniques to help you effectively navigate the stresses of work life. Free event but booking required.
Words in Watchet - Spoken Word Performances is an evening of story-telling and poetry from storyteller Alexandra Simson, the Quantock Poets with Ralph Hoyte and Watchet’s very own Deanna Payne. Scheduled for 7pm-10.15pm in the Watchet Boat Museum. Wrap up warm, bring blankets and cosy up - hot water bottles filled free of charge! Tickets £7.
SUNDAY
Sunday events will begin with Moorland Mousie - the Story of the Exmoor Pony Trust at 11am-12pm, at the Phoenix Centre. Free event but booking required.
Martin Hesp - 50 Years of Working as a Writer and Journalist in West Somerset is at 2.30pm-4pm in Watchet Methodist Church. Tickets £7.
Reading of your favourite book bits. Join Neil and Cathy for afternoon tea in Chives Cafe between 3-4.30pm and listen to them reading your favourite extracts. Tickets £10 from the cafe (cash only) to include afternoon tea.
Julia Kingsford will be ‘Demystifying the publishing industry' at 5m-6pm in the East Quay Kitchen. Free event but booking required.
Closing Event: Competition Results followed by Paul Upton on 'Thomas Chidgey, Marine Artist of Watchet' at 6pm-7pm in the East Quay Kitchen. Free event but booking required.