BEDE LITERARY FESTIVAL 1990

The programme for the first Bede Literary Festival in 1989 filled four sides of A4 paper; the Festival was repeated the following year, but the programme was a single sheet of A4, and the main content of the Festival was a day of workshops for writers (sponsored by Hammick's Bookstore). Even the illustration on the front of the leaflet was simpler.

The Festival was held on Sunday 24th June, at the College of St. Hild and St. Bede, with the headlined theme: Write Better and Enjoy Yourself.

Workshop Programme

Workshop 1: Writing Stories for Children

with Terry Deary: Terry is a prolific, well published and much appreciated children's author. His works range from a humourous first reader for 6+s through The Treasure of Crazy Horse for junior children, to thriller stories for teenagers - and that only half covers the range!

Workshop 2: Performing Poetry (especially your own)

with Heather Winskill: Heather is a drama specialist, entertainer and poet. Her work includes monologues and TV script work. She is currently teaching English in a comprehensive school.

Workshop 3: Christian Poetry

with Geoffrey Holloway and Patricia Pogson: Patricia and Geoffrey are tutors at Lumb Bank, performance poets and published writers. Their interests have ranged widely from jazz to poetry (and both in combination). They have contributed poems to many publications and radio programmes. Widely experienced.

Workshop 4: Improving your Novels and Short Stories

with Eleanor Fairburn: Eleanor is a well known novelist under a variety of names; she writes crime stories, light romanic fiction and historical novels +!

Workshop 5: Writing for the Media

with Ronnie Mutch: Ronnie is a BBC TV Producer. He is also known as a novelist. Additionally, he is an experienced freelance journalist, and brings a wealth of experience to benefit his students.

Evening Entertainment

Sponsored by the University Bookshop SPCK

Gavin Ewart and Vernon Scannell, who are internationally known poets, will perform their own works. Gavin and Vernon have been particularly appreciated by audiences when performing together. Gavin's poems were first published in New Verse in 1933, and though he has worked in a variety of occupations (including advertising copywriter) he has remained faithful to poetry; since 1971 he has been a successful freelance writer. Vernon Scannell describes himself as "former soldier, deserter and professional boxer", but goes on to say that his first love has always been poetry, listing his many awards as justifiable proof.

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