Weaver Words Literature Festival is Back!

Comedy legend Jenny Eclair, BBC TV presenter Louise Minchin and poet Lemn Sissay head an impressive line-up of talks, events, workshops and writing competitions at Cheshire’s seventh Weaver Words Literature Festival, based at Frodsham Community Centre, Saturday 3 - Sunday 11 May 2025.

Gerald Dickens, great great grandson of the famous author Charles Dickens, returns to give a stunning one man show telling the story of his famous relative’s novel, Nicholas Nickleby. We will explore the ‘Future of the Media’ with four experts from social media, print, broadcast and academia leading a fascinating debate into the recent impact of artificial intelligence, fake news and the digital Wild West.

The theme this year is ‘A Celebration of Cheshire’, with a focus on great Cestrian literary connections, from Lewis Carroll to Elizabeth Gaskell, plus new Cheshire writers aiming to make their mark.

Weaver Words patron Tim Firth will be guest speaker at a literary dinner in Frodsham’s Main Street Kitchen restaurant, as well as providing musical entertainment at the Gala Evening, with poet Lynn Pegler, before the announcement of the Flash Fiction Competition winners.

For young children (aged 4-8), there’s a chance to enjoy fantastic cartoon stories and games with award-winning authors Natalie Reeves Billing and Jude Lennon in Animates Action Stations! And for adults there will again be an array of creative workshops on offer, from poetry writing with Jean Atkin aboard the impressive Danny Steamship, moored at the Anderton Boat Lift, to sessions on flash fiction with David Gaffney, journal writing with Julia McGuinness and children’s picture books with Iryna Garkusha (Ira Bova).

Festival manager Lynn Pegler said: “We’re delighted to have assembled a fantastic line-up for Frodsham’s seventh literature festival.

“Our theme of ‘Celebrating Cheshire’ has provided inspiration for several wonderful events, including a tour to Lewis Carroll’s birthplace in Daresbury, afternoon tea in the company of Mrs Elizabeth Gaskell and author Nell Stevens, and a fascinating look at the county’s role in the English Civil War and how this plays into historical fiction.  

“We are grateful to all our sponsors and partners for their kind support and to the dedicated volunteers who give their time and expertise to bring Weaver Words to life.”

Sponsored by Encirc glass manufacturers, RSK (Helsby), Main Street Kitchen and Rotary, the festival will again feature two creative writing competitions.

£500 prize money is on offer for authors of the best new adult flash fiction story (under 300 words) and for local children (aged 7-14), the Great Weaver Words Writing Prize provides £300 worth of prizes, judged by festival patron Tim Firth. Closing dates for entries are Sunday 6 April and Friday 28 March respectively.

A free Weaver Words brochure is available to collect from Frodsham Community Centre and publicity points around the area.

For more details see the festival website www.weaverwords.org.uk. Tickets can be purchased online or through the box office telephone 0333 666 3366.