What an incredible event from the organisers of 2025’s Gainsborough WordFest.
Thank you to all who joined in, celebrating the written word with us and to all who contributed to making the event so successful.
View the WordFest 2025 image gallery here
2025’s festival brings a bonanza of bookish treats and a smorgasbord of storytelling. There will be our marvellous Literature Village market – get inspiration from published writers to pick up pen or pencil; history walks and talks – discover the Tale of Two Thomases; an acclaimed crime author spilling the beans on her twisted tales; an evening of exciting theatrical performances at the Old Nick Theatre; talented young writers reading their work at the Old Hall; tower tours at All Saints Church (and the bells may peal!); Dungeons & Dragons; street theatre; fun and cartoons with Erin on the Doodleboard; Wizardly Wizzzine fun with Ally Pally Arts and blasting off to Planet Fun at the Library.
And it’s all FREE!
Download the leaflet with the full programme here
Book workshops and activities here
You can follow regular updates on the festival in social media using:
https://www.facebook.com/WordFestLincolnshire/
https://www.instagram.com/WordFestLincolnshire/
LIBRARY – SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER
Cobden St, Gainsborough DN21 2NG
Blast Off To PLANET FUN: A fun and interactive children’s activity. Let your imagination rocket off!
10:30am to 12:30pm. No need to book, just drop in.
CREATIVE WRITING TASTER WORKSHOP: Join author Gillian Poucher for a taster session on creative writing.
10am to 11am. Free event, booking essential.
Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-writing-taster-workshop-with-author-gillian-poucher-tickets-1480142168069
EXHIBITION: A Tale of ‘Two Thomases’.
From the 6th to 20th September during library opening hours. No need to book, simply drop in.
‘OUR OLD TOWN’ TRAIL: A literary walk. Join writer Helen Hagon for a literary treasure trail. Starts and ends at the library.
11:15am to 12.15 pm. No need to book, just meet at the Library at 11:15 on the 13th.
OLD NICK THEATRE – SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER
31 Spring Gardens, Gainsborough DN21 2AY
AUTHOR TALK: The perfect setting for crime writer Anne Wedgwood’s talk about the craft of writing a tale with a twist.
2pm to 4pm. Free event, booking essential.
Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/anne-wedgwood-crime-writer-talk-wordfest-event-tickets-1375996084329
PERFORMANCES: The Workhouse Players perform in a fantastic story-telling event: ‘Four-Told’ 4 short plays by Gill Blow in one night! (This is an updated listing, replacing information in the printed leaflet).
7:00pm Doors Open for a 7.30pm-9pm performance. Free event, booking essential.
Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-wordfest-evening-at-the-old-nick-theatre-tickets-1375988842669
TRADING CARDS GAINSBOROUGH – SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER
Unit 2, 25 Lord Street, Gainsborough DN21 2DD
DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS WORKSHOP: Find your inner dragon and join in the fun at Trading Cards Gainsborough (formerly PokeGains Ltd).
Join an expert Game Master and facilitator to experiment with storytelling, improvisation and collaboration through the fantastical worlds of Dungeons & Dragons. Arm yourself with magic, martial prowess, and plenty of mayhem; save the villagers or join the dragon; face down demons, both physical and otherwise; and work as a team to tell the story you want to see. Take the chance, roll the dice, and see how well you succeed!
1pm to 4pm. Free event, booking essential with Trading Cards Gainsborough on 01427 370421.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH – SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER
66 Church St, Gainsborough DN21 2JR
TOWER TOURS: Church open to all visitors. There may be a peal of bells!
10am to 4pm. No need to book, drop in session.
UNITED REFORMED CHURCH – SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER
29 Church St, Gainsborough DN21 2JR
MAYFLOWER EXHIBITION: Come along and view the display about the Mayflower Pilgrims and the building of the Church in 1897.
10am to 3pm. No need to book, just drop in.
MARKET PLACE – SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER
DN21 2BP
LITERATURE VILLAGE: storytelling, crafts, poetry and more. Read on!
Timings of some activities may vary but most will be within the 9.30am to 2.00pm window. No need to book, drop in sessions.
- Chat to our Literature Village writers.
- Browse the book-related stalls.
- Meet Inkwell and the WordFest Wizards.
- Listen to Oskar our amazing accordion player.
- Draw on our fantastic Doodleboard.
- Follow the I-Spy Trail.
- Add your very own line to our Poetry on a Roll.
- ‘Bag a Free Book’ – courtesy of Gainsborough Library.
- Listen to stories from Woody Birch Bark.
- Try your hand at brass letter rubbing.
- Buy fresh produce and crafts from our market traders.
You can find print copies of the leaflet at customer services at the Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard or from Gainsborough Library, Gainsborough Old Hall or the Old Nick Theatre.
Brought to you by organisers West Lindsey District Council.
Also happening in Gainsborough on Saturday 13th September (separate to WordFest)
Gainsborough Young Writers Perform at The Old Hall.
Enjoy live performances by young people from the Gainsborough area (aged 10-17) who will be reading extracts from their creative writing in various rooms of the hall. The historic manor house itself is the inspiration behind the written work, and this event is the culmination of several workshops held at the hall, headed by Victoria Martin from Writing East Midlands. The name of the anthology is called ‘Twists and Turns – Tales from Gainsborough Old Hall’. Nottingham writer and performer Ben Macpherson will be leading the tour on the day.
Time: 10am to 11:30am
Walk in and book on the day.
In a change previously published information, this performance is not free but open to visitors paying for entry to Gainsborough Old Hall.
Paying for entry is Adults (18+) £14.00 and child (aged 5-17 years old) – £8.60
Download the brilliant book of short stories written by the WordFest writers group in 2024 Gainsborough Voices by WordFest Writers and read the community ‘Poem on a Roll’ created at the Literature Village By the waters of the Trent
Future updates will be share on our social media pages. To keep update date, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
For more information about visiting Gainsborough, head over to our visit and have fun pages.
