WORLD renowned cartoonists, artists and playwrights have praised Frodsham after more than 1,000 people flocked to the town’s first literature festival.
Over the past three weeks the market town has been transformed into a haven for aspiring illustrators and authors as the Weaver Words literature festival saw some of the UK’s most celebrated authors travel to the area.
And with more than 300 children from across Frodsham, Helsby, Elton, Alvanley and Manley picking up their pens and entering a short story competition, the festival is being heralded as a ‘massive success’ which has ‘inspired a generation’ to pick up books and get involved with literature.
Speaking during the 12-day festival Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy praised the town’s efforts, saying: “I really wish this lovely festival well.
“The atmosphere is fantastic and I hope it continues to flourish.”
After months of hard work and preparation volunteers and organisers are already getting ready for next year’s festival after more than 1,000 people turned up to the workshops, talks and fun days during the packed three weeks.
The festival saw children and adults taking part in cartoon drawing, publishing and writing workshops, as well as being taught how to become a fullyfledged author.
Some of the literary stars who flocked to the town to share their knowledge and inspire a new generation of publishers, authors and illustrators included:
Comic book star Tim Quinn, famous for penning illustrations in The Bash Street Kids, Desperate Dan and Spiderman.
Author of Mortlock and The Daemon Collector Jon Mayhew.
The UK’s first female Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.
Celebrated crime writer David Jackson.
And hundreds flocked to discover a world filled with Daleks and space ships during a science fiction weekend with Doctor Who spin-off writer Eddie Robson.
While a packed crowd watched Charles Dickens’s great-great- grandson Gerald play 26 different characters bringing A Christmas Carol to life.
At the final Open Mic Night on Sunday writer of Calendar Girls and festival patron Tim Firth announced the winners of the Great Weaver Words Children’s Story Prize Competition as Helsby High School student Heather Stockdale, Anna Holland from St Luke’s School and Jessica Doherty from Aston by Sutton School.
Weaver Words chairman Sue Thomson, representing Frodsham Community Association, said everyone was very proud of the success of the first ever festival.
“FCA is very proud to be behind the success of Weaver Words and to have introduced this new event to the Frodsham calendar.
“It has been a committed effort from many volunteers and the enthusiasm of the Frodsham community which can take us forward to another literature festival in the future.”
And festival manager Lynn Pegler said: “I think Weaver Words really has woven the pleasure of books, words and literature into the fabric of Frodsham.”
“We have had so much support from local schools, Castle Park, local businesses, writers groups, book clubs, care homes – it has been a true community celebration.”
