Lineup announced for town’s first literature festival

Children’s author Gillian Rogerson, short story-writer Mark Wright and award-winning Chocolat writer Joanne Harris will appear at the event.

The four-day event will feature workshops, talks, poetry readings and interactive sessions outdoors.

Organiser Karen Naylor said: “We want to celebrate the sheer pleasure of reading, of getting lost in that other world and being transformed by it.

“We are aiming to bring the love of reading to those not normally engaged. We see this building into an opportunity for families to learn of, or revisit, the delights of reading and reading together, and so that we can help to support local literacy groups.”

Most sessions will take place at Cleckheaton Library, with a children’s event due to take place at West End Park’s new outdoor classroom.

The festival will run from Thursday May 7 til Sunday May 10.

Organisers were given £4,950 towards the festival from Kirklees Council after a meeting last month.

Snapshot of events on offer at festival

May 7: 1.30pm-2.30pm - People can meet author Jason Hewitt, who wrote 2014 novel The Dynamite Room, at Cleckheaton Library. Tickets are £5.

May 9: 1-3pm - Author of Chocolat, Blueeyedboy and Five Quarters of the Orange, Joanne Harris, will lead a talk at the library. Tickets are £8.

May 9: 10am-11am - Award-winning children’s author Gillian Rogerson will host an interactive event at the library. Tickets are £3. Visit www.cleckheatonlitfest.wix.com/cleckheaton-litfest for the full lineup and tickets.