A LOCAL organisation championing Cornish literature has announced that it will be hosting its first ever Launceston Poetry Festival.
It was announced this week that The Charles Causley Trust will host its inaugural Launceston Poetry Festival later this year. The event aims to be a celebration of creativity and the community of Charles Causley’s beloved hometown.
This year’s festival will take place from Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 1 and is supported by Guillemot Press, Clemo Books, and the Universities of Falmouth, Glasgow, and Plymouth.
A spokesperson from the trust said: “We are excited to host some of the most celebrated names in British and international poetry who will come together to lead workshops, give readings, and share their love of poetry. Our headliners this year include Frank Skinner, Andrew Motion, Daljit Nagra, Ella Frears, and Pascale Petit.
“Join us for fantastic free community activities around Launceston such as poetry mentoring, meet the poet drop-in sessions, and rent-a-poet events for a chance to share your own work and get advice from professional poets. Many of these events are specially tailored to families!
“Visit the town square to see performances by the Launceston youth drama group and the town bands, or participate in open mic poetry sessions. Our festival also features a visual art exhibition and poetry sound installation. And you will be able to relax and chat with other poetry enthusiasts at events such as Poetry Picnic at the Castle!”
The trust, a registered charity, exists to celebrate the life and work of Charles Causley and promote new literature activity in the community and region in which he lived. In 2006, the trust secured Cyprus Well, the poet’s small Launceston house to provide a facility for a varied programme of activities, including residencies for writers, artists and musicians, as well as other heritage events.