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Two of the BBC’s best known wordsmiths are set to thrill audiences in
Wigan and Leigh as they headline the 2008 Leigh and Wigan Words Together
Literary Festival (Words).
The familiar face of BBC News, George Alagiah, will join celebrated
broadcaster and writer Stuart Maconie at the festival which features 35
different literary events across Wigan Borough from Monday 24th March to
Saturday 5th April.
Words is now in its fifth year and is well established as one of the
most engaging and exciting event in Wigan Borough’s cultural calendar.
The festival is organised by a voluntary festival committee in
partnership with Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.
This year’s event features a diverse selection of author visits, writing
workshops, live poetry performances, visual arts, music and even
calligraphy.
Words ’08 Co-ordinator Gillian Forrester said: “We are extremely proud
of our festival and firmly believe it is one of the best and most
diverse literary events in the North West. It is an innovative event
that is becoming increasingly popular among an audience that includes
all ages and backgrounds. We also give opportunities for local talent to
have a platform to perform and enjoy the festival’s unique atmosphere.
“As well as the huge names such as George Alagiah and Stuart Maconie we
also host more intimate events that give people a chance to get
involved. We are also welcoming back our favourite vampire poet Rosie
Lugosi and are excited to include a visit by the likes of Vincent Smith,
Chris Tutton and the fabulous Jim Eldridge. Everyone is welcome at this
year’s festival, all of our events are free or very affordable and we
extend a warm welcome to everyone who comes along.”
Six O’clock news anchorman George Alagiah will appear at Wigan Town Hall
on Saturday 29th March. The 52 year old Sri Lankan will give a personal
insight into his struggle with cultural identity as a child and his
development into one of the UK’s most respected journalists.
The journey is chronicled in George’s autobiography ‘A Home from Home’
in which he gives a stimulating assessment of the UK’s relationship with
immigration.
George said: ““I am very much looking forward to coming to Wigan to be
part of the Words Festival and to meet the people there. I’ll be giving
a very personal account of what it is like to be an immigrant in the UK,
the “Home from Home” that has given me so much.”
Much loved broadcaster and writer Stuart Maconie returns ‘home’ to the
Words Festival for the third time. Stuart, whose book ‘Pies and
Prejudice’ has stimulated nationwide debate about the North / South
divide, will appear at the Turnpike Centre Leigh on Thursday 3rd April.
Following on from Stuart’s popular BBC Four show ‘Pop on Trial’ the
audience will be invited to join the debate for about which was the best
decade for popular culture.
Stuart said: "It's great to complete a hat-trick of appearances at the
Words Festival. I love coming home and I enjoy the chance to chat
personally with the kind of people who have shaped my outlook on
cultural life in the North. We always have fun and this year will be no
different."
Words ’08 takes place from Monday 24th March to Saturday 5th April at
venues across the borough. Many events are free but audiences are urged
to book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets for ‘George Alagiah – A Personal View of Multiculturalism in the
UK’ are available from the Tourist Information Centre priced £10, call
01942 825677 for details. ‘An Afternoon with Stuart Maconie’ is a free
event but tickets must be reserved at Leigh Library, call 01942 404404
for details.
Words festival guides are available at all of the borough’s 16
libraries, Wigan Tourist Information Centre, all festival venues and at
Waterstone’s, WH Smiths and Smiths of Wigan bookshops. For further
information contact Words Festival Co-ordinator Gillian Forrester on
01942 486921 or visit
www.wlct.org/festivalfever
The full list of events is as follows (times and ticket prices vary):►
Festival events
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this press release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org
Getting Wigan Active and Improving People’s Lives: is Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust’s vision to get people across Wigan Borough more
physically, mentally and creatively active. The Trust also aims to have
a positive impact on people’s lives through the wide range of services
it provides.
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George Alagiah
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