Literary stars line up for Wakefield festival

The National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, and historian Michael Wood will be among the highlights of the festival, which will include poetry readings, writers workshops, spoken word, performance, music, and array of community events.

The festival takes place across the city centre and wider district from September 18 to 27 and will also feature playwright Zodwa Nyoni; Clandestine Cake Club founder Lynn Hill; stand-up comedian and poet Kate Fox; folk singer Kate Rusby; and The Yorkshire Post columnist and Barnsley poet Ian McMillan.

For the first time the festival will host a weekend dedicated to children and young people on September 26 and 27, featuring Horrible Science author Nick Arnold; and a ‘mini-festival’ in Featherstone.

Fran Smith, co-director of festival organiser Beam said: “Alongside a wide range of headline and community organised events we’re very happy to be spreading our wings to Featherstone Library for a one-day festival and to launch our first ever Children and Young People’s Weekend.

“Once again we’re inspired by the passionate enthusiasm of all our festival partners and volunteers who are joining us to celebrate the written and spoken word.”