With less than a week to go until the first Alderley Edge Community Book Festival the final plans are coming together.
The two day event, on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th September, promises a great day out for all the family. There will be plenty going on for children of all ages, as well as adults, at the book-loving weekend, being hosted by Oxfam at the Alderley Edge Festival Hall.
Children who come along dressed as their favourite storybook character have a chance of winning a prize for the best costume! They can also try their hand at decorating a cupcake or have some creative fun at the arts and crafts table!
There will also be storytelling sessions for the under-sevens, complete with toys, props and some surprises!
Older children will have an opportunity to meet novelist Livi Michael who will be introducing her new book, Malkin Child, based on the infamous Pendle witch trials. Meanwhile, Jon Mayhew is threatening to turn his audience into a group of evil genies just like the characters in his novel The Bonehill Curse!
Whilst fans of Bryony Pearce can enjoy an interactive exploration of her award-winning novel Angel's Fury and young adult readers will have the chance to meet the acclaimed teen fiction author, Melvin Burgess.
The weekend's packed programme will also include plenty to interest the grown-ups. Jackie Kay, poet Mike Garry and best-selling novelist Erica James head an impressive line-up of writers giving talks and readings from their work. And former MP Edwina Currie will officially open the event.
TV antiques expert, Adam Partridge, will wield the hammer in an auction of rare books. There will be stalls selling crafts and donated books and visitors will be also able enjoy live music and refreshments.
Katie Robb, Oxfam Bookshop manager in Alderley Edge and one of the event's organisers, said: "This is going to be a really exciting weekend! We have an amazing programme planned with something for everyone to enjoy. I'm so grateful to everyone involved, including all our contributing writers and, of course, our wonderful volunteers."
There will be a £1 admission charge to the Book Festival, but most author events will be free. All proceeds will go to Oxfam Education projects.
See our events calendar for full programme details.
Photo: Author Jon Mayhew.
