LOCAL lockdowns and a second wave of coronavirus may be ushering in the winter blues a little quicker than usual, but it isn’t stopping Knighton Literary Festival from going ahead this year.

First held in Knighton Community Centre in 2018, the festival was followed by another successful event last year. This year, because of the social restrictions affecting all events, the festival is being held online from 2-5pm on three Saturday afternoons across next month: October 10, 17 and 24. The programme includes an eclectic and entertaining mixture of musical performances, poetry readings, a fiction writing workshop and interviews with authors and artists.

Programme coordinator Gillian Forrester said: “The festival is ticketed, but completely free. Tickets to each event can be booked via the links on our website.

“We are grateful to our sponsors, the Knighton and District Community Centre, Knighton Library Friends, KINDA and the Knighton Museum, Knighton Rotary Club and the town council.”

All three days each weekend will be jam packed with events that will keep everyone entertained.

The exciting programme starts on Saturday, October 10, with inspirational readings and performances based on nature and the environment. This includes a poetry and musical performance by Camilla Cancantata (Saunders) and Helena Paul. Carole Dixon from the Walford Grange Quiet Garden in Leintwardine will speak about meditation gardens.

Practitioner Lucy Wells will explain the healing properties of plants. Acclaimed baritone Graham Trew will perform a selection of songs for the natural world. Rosemary Hanna will read a selection of spells in Welsh and English from Robert Macfarlane’s acclaimed book: Geiriau Diflanedig/The Lost Words: A Spell Book.

They will also be showing the film Made in Knucklas, produced by a group of accomplished artists from the village, talking about their practice and how they are influenced by the Welsh landscape.

The continues with the ‘Words and Music’ session on October 17, which includes a fiction writing workshop with novelist Alexandra Ford. This is followed by a feast of poetry including readings by the Marches Poets; Nicholas Murray and Philip Wells, the Fire Poet.

Stefan Mohamed, the Knighton-born novelist, poet and performer, will discuss his acclaimed trilogy of novels written for young adults, Bitter Sixteen, and his novel Falling Leaves; while Nicky Hetherington will read a selection of her poems for children. There will also be readings in Welsh, before a performance by the Sometime Band.

The final session on October 24 is themed around the arts and healing. Publisher and poet Nadia Kingsley will speak about: These are the Hands: Poems from the Heart of the NHS, followed by filmed readings by some of the contributors, including Michael Rosen, who wrote the title poem, Roger McGough, Lemn Sissay, Sabrina Mahfouz, Sam Guglani and Wendy Cope.

President of the Royal Academy, Rebecca Salter, will discuss the healing power of art. Violinist Chika Robertson will talk about the Music Mind Spirit Trust, which hosts programmes that use music to promote well-being.

The Festival then finishes with Julia Llewellyn Roberts’ presentation from the Knighton Museum, focusing on her work with dementia sufferers and their carers.

Full details of the programme are available on the website of the Knighton Festival www.knightoncommunitycentre/knightonfestival and you can keep up to date with latest developments on the Knighton Festival pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Confirmed events are included and new additions will be advertised when added.

For more information contact: Fiona Roper on 01547 740052 or 07715486 799.