World renowned authors at the Shell Chester Literature Festival 2009

Aug 27 2009 by Paul Mannion, Flintshire Chronicle

World renowned writers will be hosting workshops, author events and more at the Shell Chester Literature Festival 2009 this October.

Packed with famous faces from literature, this popular two-week programme will see more than 60 events take place across the city from Saturday, October 3-18.

A new box office has been launched to make buying tickets – on sale from Tuesday, September 1 – a much simpler and smoother process, allowing you to book over the phone, in person or online.

Director of Chester Festivals, Tracy Lynn, said: “This is truly a festival with something to offer everyone, across all ages, backgrounds and interests. It is a festival which takes its audience on a journey of discovery and revelation, through discussion, debates, talks and workshops.”

Some of the highlights for this year’s event include the first female Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, providing a workshop with primary schools in the morning and an evening event for all to enjoy and listen to her famous poetry.

Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, star of River Cottage, will be in Chester on Sunday, October 18. During the festival you can also enjoy a menu, created with Hugh, at Chez Jules in Northgate Street.

In the unique surroundings of the Chapter House, Chester Cathedral, on Tuesday, October 6, at 7pm, Chester-born David Whitely will be talking about his popular fantasy book The Midnight Charter, under candle-light.

Adventurer Alistair Humphreys will be reliving his round-the-world bike ride – which took an astonishing four years to complete, travelling through deserts in the Sudan to a Siberian winter – on Wednesday, October 7.

Animal addict Chris Packham will also take a trip to Chester on Sunday, October 11, to talk through his various travels across the globe and the many wildlife photos taken on his journeys.

On Sunday, October 11, Rohan McCullough will be performing an emotional and sensitive one woman show, entitled The Testament of Youth.

Defence commentator Allan Mallison will talk about his book The History of the British Army on Monday, October 12.

The Chester Oyez! also returns, bigger, brighter and even more vibrant. From dawn till dusk the Chester Oyez! will animate and discuss literature and poems in exciting and unusual ways, from performance poetry, storytelling and interactive workshops, appealing to all ages.

It opens with a cabaret night at Alexander’s Jazz Theatre bar, where you will be entertained by three performers: comedian and raconteur Julian Daniels, Shonaleigh Cumbers storyteller and singer, and sharp stand-up Luke Wright.

The final Chester Oyez! event on Saturday, October 17, is equally as enchanting and centres around the tales of Robin Hood, featuring dynamic performers Hugh Lupton and Nick Hennessey.

Tickets are expected to sell out quickly to all the events. For more information visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk, ring 0845 2417868 or visit the Tourist Information Centre on Chester’s Town Hall Square.