This idea for this exciting, ambitious event, which takes place from 1- 9 June, was spawned by Ilminster resident and local Rotarian Brenda Lake, chair of the organising committee, who says,

‘In recent years the Rotary Club of Ilminster have held several very successful one-off literary talks and poetry evenings, usually with a view to raising funds for our charities. This got me thinking. Several of us are regular visitors to the Literary Festival at Hay-on-Wye, which makes everything so accessible to everyone, so it seemed like a great idea to see if we could do something similar here, if for no other reason than to help put Ilminster firmly on the literary map and encourage visitors to this wonderful market town. The aim of the Literary Festival is to ensure that all participants, both speakers and audiences, enjoy themselves, and hopefully learn something, so that they can say, “That was fantastic, when is the next event?”. If we can achieve that, then we shall be all be thrilled. Many people have asked if this will become an annual event. We would love this to happen but much depends on support from our speakers, many of whom are appearing without a fee, our sponsors and of course the enthusiasm of members of the public. If this this is the huge success we hope it will be, then that is what we shall aim for.’
Efforts to contact authors that would appeal to all age groups and interests started almost a year ago and as the enormity of the task ahead began to be realised Brenda soon called in the troops to lend a hand. Although she has been the driving force behind the 9 days of planned events Brenda has been ably assisted by fellow Rotarians Deryk Outram, Julie Fowler and Linda Piggott, along with others from the local community, including Ilminster’s two independent bookshops, to make this a really inclusive event.

Financial support has been provided by grants and sponsorship from Rotary, along with Somerset County Council, Gooch Charitable Trust, Ilminster Education Fund, Ilminster Town Council and South Somerset District Council. Organisations and businesses across the town, along with Greenfylde and Swanmead schools, have all been eager to contribute in some way to ensure that the Literary Festival will be a roaring success by becoming friends and sponsors, or by allowing the use of their premises and facilities for events.

The Literary Festival is helping to promote local authors, and to draw everyone involved or interested in Literature and the Arts in Ilminster together. The Literary Festival is kick starting at The Memory Café, which provides support for those with Alzheimer’s and their families. To ensure that the activities are as inclusive as possible, the main events will be held at a wide range of venues to gain maximum involvement and participation, including Warehouse Theatre, Ilminster Arts Centre, the Minster, Monks Yard, Sweet Surprise, Nyanza Lodge and the Shrubbery Hotel.

The official opening ceremony, held courtesy of The Shrubbery Hotel, will be followed by dinner with author and cricket commentator Anthony Gibson who will also give a talk on “Somerset Landscapes”, giving the event a real ‘Somerset’ feel from the outset.

In total there will be 30 authors, many of them local, talking about their works. There is also a Literary Quiz (just for fun, and suitable for the whole family), a children's story-telling session, a poetry competition, a talk about old and antiquarian books and so on.

In addition to this, two former Members of Parliament, both authors in their own right, will be taking an active part. Ann Widdecombe will be doing a Q&A session at the Warehouse Theatre, whilst Paddy Ashdown will be on hand to present prizes for the children’s poetry competition. 

Anyone interested in becoming a Friend of the Ilminster Literary Festival, which gives priority for event tickets and other benefits, should contact Deryk Outram on 01460 259113, or email deryk@doconsulting.co.uk.

Book your tickets online - www.ilminsterliteraryfestival.org