Previous years:

Monday

LAUGHTER, LAUGHTER & MORE LAUGHTER! - An evening with STEVE SMITH

Author of the comic legal series of which 'Boozers, Ballcocks & Bail' is the first title.

Tuesday

YOUR DESERT ISLAND BOOK

Your chance to reveal and read from the book you would choose to take to a desert island.

A BLACKMORE VALE CHILDHOOD

Local author, Hilary Townsend, gives a delightful and moving account of growing up in the Vale between the two wars.

Wednesday

HUMOUR IN THE ROYAL PALACES

Behind-the-scenes anecdotes and enlightening and humorous stories told by Peter Horsfall, ex Coldstream Guards & former Staff Superintendent at the House of Lords.

THE LITERARY QUIZ – Quiz Master David Jeffery

Thursday

JANE AUSTEN DAY

Afternoon talks and activities which celebrate the life of the great novelist whose work has never been out of print followed by a showing of the film 'Becoming Jane' starring Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters, James Cromwell and Maggie Smith.

Friday

PRIMARY POETRY

The launch of a book of poems written by children from the Mere and Whitesheet (Zeals) Schools, who have been working with poet Paddy Hughes.

POETRY IN THE GROVE BUILDING

A reading of the poems short-listed in this year’s competition and you get to choose your favourite in the audience vote.

Saturday

COFFEE MORNING TALK with Gerry Cottle.

All the thrills of the circus as Gerry Cottle reveals the 'Confessions of a Showman - My Life in the Circus'.

CHILDREN’S EVENT ROLL UP! ROLL UP!

Circus stories and Fun Activities linked to the Big Top.

WRITERS’ POETRY WORKSHOP - Led by Joan Wiles.

A chance to work with a prize-winning poet and creative writing tutor.

LOUIS de BERNIERES and THE ANTONIUS PLAYERS

A poetry and music event with the author of 'Captain Corelli’s Mandolin' and Ilone Antonius-Jones. This Link to the Antonius players website opens in a new window

Sunday

AWARDS CEREMONY

Adjudications with poets Sir John Weston, Pam Kelly and Paddy Hughes.