WordFest is a sparkling new literature festival taking place in Gainsborough throughout September. There are over 20 events spread over several days – all with free entry. Organised by West Lindsey District Council, visitors can expect storytelling, theatre, live music, children’s activities, author talks and workshops.
WordFest is all about Gainsborough finding its voice. It is for everyone: there is something for all ages and interests. Join in with telling your stories – through words, pictures, sounds and music. This is just the start of the journey told through your stories in your voices.
WordFest Launch
Friday 9 August, drop in anytime at Gainsborough Library between 10am and 12pm – Join us for the launch of WordFest and enjoy some summer-time magic and fairies with the The Story Emporium. Come along and make tiny people with tiny clothes and books, build a house for them to enjoy during long summer days. This activity is aimed at children aged 6 to 10 years old.
Wordfest 2024
For the main event, on Saturday 14th September, the town’s historic Market Place will be transformed into a Literature Village with all things for bookish people: authors, illustrators, artists and book gift stalls along with a children’s eye-spy book trail.
Horse drawn carriage rides will run from the Market Place to the Library throughout the day, with visitors encouraged to channel their inner Jane Austen and dress in Bridgerton-inspired attire.
Two special market stalls will display work created by local people in workshops held during the summer, including a book of short stories, Gainsborough Voices (with author Gill Blow) and a display of art journals (with artist Tracey Jones).
Free activities include children’s craft by Ally Pally Arts, a Doodleboard for all and Poetry on a Roll from Helen Hagon. Come along and take part!
There’s quiet time in the story-telling tent, with stories from the Broadbent Theatre and children’s author Jacqueline Evans with Jake the three-legged Dog. Children can come along and read from the special story-telling chair.
The Market Place will also host pop-up theatre by a young people’s theatre group and Oskar will be playing delightful tunes from his accordion – the Squeezebox of Delights.
The town’s monthly Farmers’ and Craft market will also take place on Saturday 14th, giving WordFest visitors even more to enjoy.
Book Reading – The Most Dangerous Spy
Join award-winning BBC journalist Sharon Edwards for a reading from her children’s book The Most Dangerous Spy at Gainsborough Library on Saturday 14 September at 11.30am.
This event is free to attend, however booking is advised. Please contact the library via email or pop in during their opening times. Suitable for ages 8+.
https://www.sharon-edwards.co.uk/
We are delighted that Sharon will also present the Summer Reading Challenge certificates before her reading at 10.30am.
Events in September
In the two weeks leading up to the market there will be a play workshop, women’s history talk and Lincolnshire dialect event. Scroll down for more details.
All events are free but must be booked online in advance.
- Thursday 5 September, 7.30pm – Page to Stage at the Old Nick Theatre – Join Gill Blow, Phil Jones and Gordon Stuart from the Workhouse Players who will show you behind the scenes followed by a performance of their most popular play.
- Tuesday 10 September, 2pm – ‘Women at the Helm’ history talk at Gainsborough Old Hall
- Thursday 12 September, 2pm – The Lincolnshire Dialect – a fascinating talk by dialect speaker Loretta Rivett at Gainsborough Old Hall. Loretta will be joined by the Lincolnshire-based acclaimed folk duo Nigel Creasey and Teri Clarke. Nigel and Teri will give an authentic local voice to the Lincolnshire Dialect event, complementing the talk and discussion. Loretta’s talk is 2pm to 3pm followed by Lincolnshire folk music from Nigel and Teri at 3pm to 4pm.
- Thursday 12 September, 7pm – Gainsborough Voices – an evening of music and words from three electronic music artists with links to Gainsborough. Live contemporary electronica and folktronica from gribbles, Duty & Subphotic in the theatre, with a generative sound and speech installation by gribbles focused on the Lincolnshire dialect in the cafe bar. A first of its kind! at The Old Nick Theatre
- Thursday 19 September, 7pm – Poetry write-in Workshop with Helen Hagon of Written Words School of English at Spokes Coffee Shop
This page will be updated as soon as more information is confirmed. You can keep up to date with what’s happening at WordFest by following us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
For more information about visiting Gainsborough, head over to our visit and have fun pages.
