A TV producer, author and wife of a rock band's frontman will be the special guest to kick off a literary festival in Northwich this year.
Northwich LitFest returns to the town this summer and Suzan Holder, the wife of Slade's Noddy, will help to launch the festival on June 15 at Davenham Theatre.
Suzan, who trained as a newspaper journalist, will entertain festivalgoers with stories of how living with Noddy, producing Loose Women, and meeting Sir Paul McCartney inspired her hilarious romantic comedy books.
The three-week festival will take place at venues across Northwich, starting on June 15 and running to July 5.
LitFest founder Susi Osborne will be speaking at a Northwich Rotary event on Monday to give people more details on the festival.
Tickets for the Suzan Holder launch event can be bought here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-launch-event-with-special-guest-suzan-holder-tickets-843494263047
Northwich LitFest 2024 events
Monday, June 17: Short Story Competition at Costa in Witton Street
The competition runs in conjunction with the Ourtown Magazine and is free to enter, with cash prizes to be won.
For details of how to enter check out Ourtown Magazine, or Northwich LitFest’s Facebook Page.
Whether you enter the competition or not, members of the public can go along to the presentation event where the entrants are invited to read out their stories if they wish.
Attendees will get the opportunity to vote for their favourite story in the ‘Listeners’ Choice’ category, and all of the winners are presented with their prizes.
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-short-story-competition-tickets-843566499107
Wednesday, June 19: Paul & Rose Hurley at St Helen's Church
Paul Hurley has written many interesting and very well-researched books, mostly about the history of Northwich and its surrounding towns and villages.
He and wife Rose have also written the weekly ‘Looking Back’ feature in the Northwich & Winsford Guardian.
Most recently, the couple have written Cheshire Murders & Misdemeanours, where they delved into the historical records to reveal the dark side of life of everyday people of Cheshire.
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-paul-rose-hurley-tickets-843537562557
Friday, June 21: When Joanne Meets Kim at Davenham Theatre
Joanne Goodwin, the editor of Cheshire Life magazine, in conversation with Kim Smith, co-owner and presenter at Radio Northwich – a winning combination indeed.
Joanne Goodwin does an amazing job at Cheshire Life, resulting in a fabulous and much-loved magazine.
She has so many stories to tell and who better to chat to her about them than Northwich’s very own inimitable Kim Smith?
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-joanne-goodwin-cheshire-life-editor-tickets-843540631737
Sunday, June 23: Steve Hill MBE at Davenham Theatre
Steve Hill MBE is a teacher, an adventurer, charity founder, motivational speaker and bestselling author.
For more than a decade Steve has set himself challenges. From climbing mountains, trekking through deserts, wading through rivers in the Amazon jungle and crossing frozen lakes in the Arctic wilderness, to inspire his pupils to realise that anything is possible.
Along the way Steve has learned about life, about self-doubt, about overcoming challenges and following your dreams.
"The highest mountains we’ll ever have to climb are the ones in our mind. The ones that we think we can’t overcome. But we can."
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-steve-hill-mbe-tickets-843542156297
Tuesday, June 25: Sophie Parkin at Davenham Theatre
Sophie Parkin is a prolific writer as well as being an artist. She lives in London where she really is a central pivot in the world of the arts. Sophie is also the daughter of that well renowned icon, Molly Parkin.
Writing is a subject about which Sophie is very passionate and has a lot of knowledge.
If you’re thinking of writing a book, come and listen to what she has to say. And if you’re not thinking about writing a book don’t be deterred, come and meet Sophie anyway, she has lots of interesting things to talk about.
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-sophie-parkin-tickets-843543219477
Thursday, June 27: Poetry Open Mic Event at St Helen's Church
Are there any poets, or aspiring poets, out there? If so LitFest would love to see you, and would really like to hear you read out one of your poems… maybe even two if time allows.
Come along to the Poetry Open Mic Event, hosted by Susi Osborne and Gordon Atkinson.
A LitFest spokeswoman said: "We are actually really lucky to have such a stunning venue in which to hold this event.
"The amazing acoustics and the mystical atmosphere within the church will contribute towards making this a simply magical evening.
"And you don’t necessarily have to be a poet to come along, just come to listen if you wish. There will be music too… as well as tea and cake."
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-poetry-open-mic-event-tickets-843544132207
Sunday, June 29: Kerry Daynes at Davenham Theatre
Kerry is instantly recognisable as one of the UK’s best known forensic psychologists.
She appears regularly on TV and is the Sunday Times Best Selling author of The Dark Side of the Mind.
Kerry is best known for her appearances on Faking It: Tears of Crime, Judge Rinder’s Crime Stories, The Lying Games, Crimes that Fooled Britain, The Making of a Monster, and Killing Mum and Dad.
Bright, funny, opinionated and offering much to a debate, Kerry has been stabbed and terrifyingly stalked.
She has even been locked in a cell with a dangerous prisoner for a misogynistic laugh. She is an impressive speaker and the team is looking forward to welcoming her to Northwich LitFest.
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-kerry-daynes-tickets-843546288657
Tuesday, July 2: Adele Parks MBE at Davenham Theatre
The fabulous Adele Parks MBE is one of the highest selling authors of women’s fiction in the UK today.
Adele was actually the headliner for the very first Northwich LitFest 12 years ago and it is an absolute delight to have her back at the festival again this year.
On this occasion Adele will be joined onstage by her husband, Jim, making this an ‘in conversation’ style of event as Adele talks about her work and about her latest book.
Adele brings out a new book every year and they are always in high demand.
She will be coming to Northwich LitFest on this occasion as part of the tour for the launch of her new book, First Wife’s Ghost, which has its publication date in July.
Tickets for this event are £15, but include a copy of this very latest hardback book which you can be one of first people to read.
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-adele-parks-mbe-tickets-843548384927
Friday, July 5: Eve Ferret at Davenham Theatre
The LitFest spokeswoman added: "Well, what can we say about Eve Ferret? There are no words bold enough to describe her. She came last year and she wowed us all – we just knew we had to have her back again.
"Dubbed as the ‘Queen of Cabaret’ (Libby Purves BBC Radio 4), Eve Ferret is regarded as one of the most original performers on the stage today – she spins cabaret on its head and back again.
"The biggest of personalities, Eve is a singer, songwriter, actor, comedian, teller of stories and so much more.
"As an actor Eve is known for her work on EastEnders, Haunted Honeymoon, and Absolute Beginners (with David Bowie).
"Eve is ‘in pursuit of happiness for all’ and certainly achieves that wherever she goes. I think we can safely say that no one will leave the theatre after this event without a smile on their face and what a happy ending that will make for our festival."
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/northwich-litfest-2024-eve-ferret-tickets-843548836277
For more information about any of these events please email susi.osborne@hotmail.co.uk or head to the Northwich LitFest Facebook page.
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