Star line-up for literary event
Date published: 10 March 2015
Oldham Library has had a £138,000 windfall to upgrade its facilities - and has announced the return of the popular Bookmark Festival next month.
The Arts Council’s £101,724 has been earmarked for the upgrade of the centre’s performing space and children’s area. It follows an earlier Arts Council grant of £37,000 to help provide a programme of theatre, literature and comedy.
The financial boost comes as Oldham prepares for the return of the Bookmark Festival, a week-long literary celebration from April 18-25.
This year’s line-up includes a star from children’s TV, a Manchester musical legend, “The patron saint of poetry” and a former borough resident who is now one of country’s most successful self-published authors.
Children’s TV personality and green-fingered gardener Mr Bloom will be sharing some nursery rhymes, songs, and veggie tales on Saturday, April 18, with two performances at the library as well as an appearance in Oldham town centre.
Musician Steve Hanley, bass player with The Fall and author of “The Big Midweek: Life Inside The Fall”, will also appear at the festival on April 18, to discuss his book and provide an insight into the Manchester-based band.
Roger McGough, who has been hailed as “The patron saint of poetry” by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, will speak about his new collection of poems, “As Far As I Know”, at Oldham Coliseum on April 20.
Successful self-published author Rachel Abbott, originally from Oldham, will discuss the creative process, writing and self-publishing on Tuesday, April 21. Rachel’s novels have sold more than a million copies and been number one best-sellers online.
Tickets: www.eventbrite.com.
