Aberford Literature Festival Expands to Three Days with Community Support in June

A vibrant community event in West Yorkshire, the Aberford Literature Festival, is set to expand its reach this year, thanks to ongoing support from the Hook Moor Wind Farm fund. For the first time, the festival will run over three days, from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st June, offering an exciting mix of events, workshops, and performances that promise to engage both local residents and visitors alike.

Festival Highlights

This year’s festival will feature a variety of speakers, including:

• John Godber, a renowned playwright and creative director at Wakefield Theatre Royal
• Yvonne Battle-Felton, an award-winning writer from the US
• George Webster, a BAFTA Award-winning presenter from CBeebies, who will star in the children’s author section
• Linda Jones, chair of the Promoting Yorkshire Authors group and a youth fiction author

In addition to these exciting speakers, the festival will host a special competition for local children to showcase their writing skills. Each participant will receive a copy of a specially commissioned book featuring their stories, celebrating their creativity and encouraging future writers.

Support from Hook Moor Wind Farm

The festival's expansion is made possible through a generous £3,000 grant from the community benefits fund associated with the Hook Moor Wind Farm, located just south of Aberford. This funding is managed by OnPath Energy and is part of a larger commitment to support local initiatives, with around £11,000 available each year for good causes in the area.

Chris Berry, a local author and one of the festival organisers, expressed gratitude for this support, stating, “The ongoing support we’re receiving from the Hook Moor Wind Farm Fund means we can plan ahead with confidence and continue to raise our ambitions for this year and beyond.”

Workshops and Competitions

This year’s festival will also include engaging workshops such as:

• A sonnet-writing workshop with poet Suzannah Evans
• A session on independent publishing led by local author Maria Frankland

The festival will culminate in the ALFIE awards ceremony, where the winners of the children's writing competition will be announced at the village’s Arabian Horse pub on Sunday afternoon.

Community Engagement

Organised by the Aberford Authors group, which meets monthly at the local pub, the festival invites anyone with an interest in writing to get involved. The group has seen significant growth, especially after the formation of the Aberford Authors Drama Collective last year, which will showcase performances of radio scripts written by its members.

Tom Chaplin, partnerships and community manager at OnPath Energy, shared his enthusiasm for the festival, stating, “The Aberford Literature Festival has quickly become a highlight of the local cultural calendar and offers fantastic opportunities for people of all ages to get involved.”

Building a Sustainable Future

Melissa Falconer, Head of Business Development UK of ERG, the company that owns the Hook Moor Wind Farm, emphasised the importance of community relationships. She said, “Being part of this landscape means looking after it, from supporting community events like the Aberford Literature Festival to caring for the wider environment.” This reflects a commitment to not only producing clean energy but also to fostering community development.

Free Events and Local Support

Most of the festival's events and activities are free to attend, thanks to additional funding from Leeds City Council, Aberford Parish Council, and various local businesses and charities. This accessibility ensures that everyone in the community, regardless of age or background, can participate in the joy of literature and creativity.

The Aberford Literature Festival continues to grow and adapt, reflecting the community's enthusiasm for storytelling and the arts. With a rich programme planned for June, it promises to be an unforgettable celebration of literature and creativity in West Yorkshire. For more details on the festival and to see the full line-up, visit the official website at Aberford Literature Festival.