EXCITING NEW LITERARY FESTIVAL
COMES TO WEST KIRBY
Organisers have announced that they will be
bringing a new literary festival to Wirral this
summer. The event, which is set to take place
from 3rd – 9th June will be a collaboration
between The Wro’s Wro Readers Book Club
and Linghams Bookshop in Heswall.
The festival will see several major authors
visit the peninsular along with a packed
programme, literary themed events and
a special guest appearance from ‘literary
royalty’.
Wro owner Sally Boyd commented, ‘Our
Book Club has gone from strength to strength
over the years and as we are just about to read
our 100th book we decided we would like to
do something to mark the achievement. We
mentioned our initial idea to host a small
literary festival to Sue Porter the owner of
Linghams and she was so enthusiastic. She
has done amazing things at Linghams so it
seemed to make sense to join forces and plan
something more substantial.’
Since then the festival has grown to
incorporate visits from over fifteen authors,
dozens of fringe events and a major family
gathering on the Sunday.
‘When I heard about the Book Club’s plans I
just had to get involved,’ said Sue. ‘Through
our networks at Linghams I’m lucky enough
to have access to some really inspirational
authors. Once we started making enquiries
14 wirrallife.com
the programme has grown to become a really
impressive gathering.’
Organisers are promising ‘something for
the whole family with most genres covered
and few surprise guests along the way’ and
there will be no shortage of big name authors
either. Bestselling historical novelist Alison
Weir will be joined by this years most talked-
about debut author Leah Hazard along with
Blue Planet producer Dr Jon Copley and local
bestseller Catherine Cavendish. There will
also be a specialist gothic horror panel chaired
by renowned author Ramsey Campbell and
children’s Bear Hunt to celebrate 30 years of
‘We’re Going On A Bear hunt.’
West Kirby based Aesthetic Specialists SDS
Rejuvenate are on board as headline sponsors
for the event and owner Dr Sally-Anne Dolan
said they were delighted to be supporting the
initiative, ‘We are thrilled to be sponsoring
this amazing event. We love West Kirby and
the Wirral so anything we can do to support
such a high-profile community event makes
us extremely proud.’
Alongside the festival, the team have just
launched a Short Story Competition for
schools and adult writers.
Full details about the festival, competition
and all associate events can be accessed
online at:.
www.westkirbylitfestival.co.uk
A REVIEW OF
LEAH HAZARD
'HARD PUSHED'
BY SUE PORTER
Sue Porter interviewing Kate Humble
Leah Hazard is one of the authors coming
to Wirral as part of the West Kirby Literary
Festival.
Sue Porter from Linghams, Heswall, has
reviewed her latest book 'Hard Pushed' and
loved it.
Sue said: "Hard Pushed is her debut non fiction
book. She is a midwife based in Scotland. Ex
BBC Scotland, studied English and American
Literature at Harvard university before
moving to the UK. A love letter to Midwives
everywhere. We follow Leah through her shifts
and meet various characters who leave an
impression on her. For fans of Adam Kay this is
one for you."
You can meet Leah on 7th June at Westbourne
Hall. For tickets, call 0151 342 7290.