Join us for a fantastic programme of talks, workshops and performances in Weardale. Many of our events are grant funded and are still free, but this year we have had to initiate a small charge for others in order to keep WordFest sustainable. Updates, details and information about booking will be on our website and Facebook page soon. weardalewordfest.com @weardalewordfest, or email .
Meanwhile, here are some DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Thursday 8 October
Poetry workshop with poet, playwright and workshop leader Andy Willoughby. Andy has been involved in many different projects and publications over the years and is currently Writer in Residence at Redhills Miners’ Hall in Durham. 10.30 – 12.30, Root and Branch Cafe, Stanhope. FREE
Friday 9 October
An evening of stories, tales of adventure and cheese and wine with Jo Hayes and Terry Ashby, 6 p.m., Westgate Village Hall. £5.50
Wednesday 14 October
Writing workshop, Memoir in Fragments.
Avril Joy is one of our most talented and generous local writers who has produced a wonderfully diverse and innovative assembly of award winning novels and stories. Join Avril to explore a new way of writing 10.30 – 12.30, Stanhope Community Centre. FREE
Thursday 15 October
Colpitts Poetry and Open Mic. Colpitts Poetry was established in Durham in 1975. They are now based at Redhills Miners Hall where they continue to host a vibrant and inclusive programme of live readings. WordFest is delighted to welcome them to Stanhope for a reading and open mic session hosted by Andy Willoughby. Everyone welcome, whatever you write! Stanhope Community Centre, 7.00 p.m. £5.50
Sunday 18 October
Writing and Weaving. Let your imagination run free and explore the unexpected links between Text and Textile in this innovative workshop with the Wiggly Path Company in the stunning natural setting of Harehope Quarry. No experience necessary and all materials will be provided. Harehope Quarry, Frosterley; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. £15.00
Wednesday 21 October
Think you’d like to put to pen to paper but don’t have much confidence? Join our Creative Writing workshop with Alison Curry and find out what you can really do.10. 30 – 12.30 Rookhope Business Centre. £5.50
The WordFest Weekend
Friday 23 October
Story Telling workshop and performance. Absolutely no experience necessary for this adventure into creating stories and performance. Delve into Weardale’s buried past with story teller Jessie McMeekin and musician Sam Slatcher. 2 p.m. 5.00 p.m. light supper included, to be followed by performance at 6.30 p.m. St. John’s Chapel Town Hall. Your friends and family will be amazed!
This is a FREE event supported by a community grant from the North Pennines National Landscape team through the Land of Lead and Silver project which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
Saturday 24 October
With the focus firmly on local authors and books about Weardale we are delighted to be holding our 2026 Authors’ Event at St. John’s Chapel Town Hall. Doors open at 10.30 a.m. when you can grab a cuppa and and a slice of cake and browse the bookstalls before settling in to enjoy the day. Lunch will be available courtesy of Jo Hayes and her team and all profits from catering go to the Weardale food bank. This is a FREE event, no need to book, drop in during the day. Timings will be posted on our website.
Rebecca Phillipson grew up in Crook, where she still lives, and used to run her own business in Stanhope. She has recently published her highly praised first novel. She was inspired to write How to Get Away with Murder after starting a true-crime blog during the pandemic and becoming fascinated by the ways in which serial killers are treated like celebrities.
Have you been following the Corned Beef Chronicles? Phil Mews is a WordFest regular. His first book was Orphan Boys, followed by The Girl on the Red Carpet, a witty romance set in the world of TV and celebrities. The Corned Beef Chronicles are his hilarious, on-going account of the adventures of disreputable pensioners Ivy and Maureen.
Margaret Manchester needs no introduction to her followers in Weardale. She has written a series of acclaimed historical romances set in the dale and has recently produced a brand new book, Weardale’s Peculiar Past, a fascinating collection of extraordinary true stories from Weardale’s rich history.
Weardale above and Beneath is a local history and heritage book written by Peter Ryder with Ben Coutts, illustrated by John Longstaff. It is an eminently readable, enjoyable book that explores the surface landscape and underground features of Weardale.
Sunday 25 October in the Garden Room at Frosterley Village Hall
Workshop with Dot Long of Vane Women This is one of a series of writing workshops based on the books published by Vane Women Press over 30 years. It is based on Dot’s collection ‘No Random Loving’ and is open to anyone interested in writing, in whatever form. All participants will be given a copy of the book to take home. 10.30 – 12.30. £5.50
In the afternoon we’re delighted to welcome Margaret Manchester again to talk about her book Killhope Man, Emerging from the mists of time. This will befollowed by the launch of a brand new anthology Each Mine, Each Hearth, Stories and poems from the Land of Lead and Silver featuring work by many talented local writers. FREE
And look out for the premiere performance of community play LEAD and SILVER, written by North Pennines playwrights and produced by Three Dales Theatre Company. 20, 21 November at Stanhope Community Centre.
