Local writers visit Hay Literature Festival

Local writers from Cartwheel visit Hay Literature Festival

A group of 18 amateur creative writers from Rochdale, Oldham and Bury took a trip to mid-Wales to attend the Hay Literature Festival. The festival is an annual event, this year celebrating its 25th anniversary, that brings together writers, poets, journalists and all those concerned with the written and spoken word.

The group was composed of members of community writing groups run by Cartwheel Arts’ Tell Us Another One project. Tell Us Another One is a three-year project for adults across Greater Manchester, funded by the Arts Council and the National Lottery. It uses creative writing to help people gain confidence, and to bring communities together.

Many of those who went on the trip had never attended a literature or arts festival before, and were excited to see the wider world of creative writing and performance on such a big scale.

The group enjoyed readings by a diverse range of artists including actors Fiona Shaw and Simon Callow, Syrian poet Faraj Bayrakdar, broadcaster Jeremy Vine, and Al Jazeera founder Wadah Khanfar.

They also took time during the weekend to do some writing themselves, with the help of writers Anjum Malik, Steve Garside and Shamshad Khan.

Participants summed up their experiences with, “So, so glad I came – great atmosphere.” “I was inspired by many different people from different countries and backgrounds.” “I’ve been writing non-stop since I came back.”

Project co-ordinator Emma Melling said “It’s important to give people opportunities like this, which they wouldn’t otherwise have. It’s inspiring, and shows them where their creative writing can lead.”