Wonderful Wordpool back for 2015

Blackpool’s popular festival of literature and arts, Wordpool, is back for 2015.

The always popular festival – which runs from July 1 to July 4 – is now in its ninth year and will again feature a host of top authors, poets and speakers as well as a free family fun day known as Story Safari.

A huge hit with families in previous years, the family fun day will feature up to 20 different events, activities and attractions all crammed in to three hours of fun from 1pm on Saturday July 4.

So come and search the park for giant pigeons, encounter our huge bubble breathing dragon or tackle the amazing Tower Menagerie.

Children (or those who are children at heart) can become a safari character themselves by making a magical mask to wear during all the exciting activities and you can bring a picnic or join us at the Tiger’s Tea Party.

For those with a more grown-up literary focus there are also a range of exciting events.

Wordpool launches on Wednesday 1 July at 6pm at the Mazzei Café at Blackpool’s stunning Winter Gardens with an evening of words, music and performance poetry from the brilliant Tony Walsh.

It’s then followed up by a packed day of interesting events at Central Library on Thursday 2 July.

First on the bill at 11am and 12.30pm respectively are Ali Shaw and Tasha Kavanagh, two new novelists.

Lancaster University graduate Ali authored the excellent The Man Who Rained – an atmospheric novel described as “like an adult fairy tale” and will give a talk about his life and work.

Tasha, meanwhile, is a former film editor whose credits include Hollywood blockbusters like Twelve Monkeys and The Talented Mr Ripley.

She recently released her debut novel, Things We Have In Common, having cut her teeth writing children’s books.

At 2.30pm and back by popular demand, is crime writer, Elly Griffiths.

Author of the successful Ruth Galloway Series; she will talk about her new novel The Ghost Girl.

Husband and wife crime writing duo Bob and Carol Bridgestock, consultants for TV series Happy Valley and Scott and Bailey, follow her at 4pm

The pair draw on their combined 47 years’ experience working for the police in West Yorkshire within their work and their DI Dylan series of works has proven extremely popular.

And if that wasn’t enough, Wordpool fans can enjoy a performance from the fantastic Fylde Coast Youth Dance Company at 5.30pm before Manchester-based, Collette Snowden, discusses her debut novel The Secret of Not Drowning, at 6pm.

There’s even a Twitter book club in the evening which looks forward to the visit of historical novelist Elizabeth Fremantle on the Friday and discusses her novel Watch The Lady.

Just search for #bookpool or follow @bpoollibraries on Twitter to take part.

The huge list of interesting authors doesn’t end there though.

On Friday 3 July, Central Library is again the venue for a range of interesting conversational interviews which will spotlight some of the most interesting authors around.

At 11am a pair of ex-teachers, Dan Worsley and Karen Charlton, are in conversation with poet and Blackpool Museum learning and skills manager, John Simpson Wedge.

They hope to give aspiring authors an insight into self-publishing.

They’re followed at 12.30pm by Elizabeth Freemantle, who will also chat to John, about her life and works including a three part Tudor trilogy which has achieved national acclaim.

Southport born author Carys Bray, publisher of two books and a regular visitor to Blackpool, joins writer Amanda Brooke in conversation at 1.45pm for a conversational that will look at the more emotional side of writing.

And finally on Friday, for those with a spirit for the supernatural, Helen Phifer talks to Sandra Mangan about her ghost thriller stories.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Wordpool is a fantastic festival and its ninth year looks as good as ever.

“The Story Safari day in Stanley Park attracted more than a thousand people last year and is one of those events which is absolutely perfect to enjoy with the children but is also good for grown-ups too.

“The calibre of authors and performers this year is sky high as well and there are a range of interesting talks and events that are ideal for people of all ages.

“It’s going to be great and I’d urge people to get along, support their local library and enjoy the family fun day.”

All library events include drinks and a snack and tickets cost £3 with 50p off for library members.

Members can also buy a Wordpool festival pass, entitling you to entry to and refreshments at all the events, for just £16 (£12 for Blackpool Library Members*) and day passes are available for Thursday and Friday priced at £10 (£8*) and £8 (£6*) respectively.

To buy tickets, visit Central Library today or go to www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for “Wordpool”.

For more information, visit www.blackpoolwordpool.wordpress.com, www.facebook.com/wordpool or www.twitter.com/wordpoolfest