The second Heywood Literary Festival has been hailed a huge success, after hundreds of visitors flocked to Heywood House for a weekend packed with inspiring talks, lively discussions and big ideas.
Audiences were treated to an impressive line-up of speakers across the weekend, including world-renowned evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins drawing a full house in the main marquee and Booker Prize-winning novelist Samantha Harvey who captivated festival-goers with an engaging discussion about her work and writing career.
Festival Event Director, Ryan Child, said the Festival was, “a truly memorable celebration of books and big ideas.
“The atmosphere was electric, with top-tier talent everywhere you looked. Star of the show, the one and only Richard Dawkins, drew a huge crowd to the main marquee.
“Meanwhile, inside the stunning Jacobean Hall, we were treated to a special appearance by the brilliant novelist Samantha Harvey, a celebrated winner of the prestigious Booker Prize.
“The festival proved that complex topics can draw a crowd! The ‘boutique’ intimate venues at Heywood House were constantly buzzing, with bumper audiences for sessions like ‘The Prison Officer,’ ‘HSBC: Too Big to Jail,’ ‘Hand of History: women of courage and character’, with key support from the Frome Writers’ Collective and ‘Medieval Churches’.
“The future of conversation was on full display with the powerful Youth Speaks session, featuring genuinely thought-provoking talks from Matravers School students on immigration, limiting social media for teenagers, and issues with SEN provision.
“This vital session was run by Westbury Rotary and was generously sponsored by Pinniger Finch and Goodings Accounts.
“It was an amazing weekend. I heard one young person in the crowd say, ‘This is basically just listening to awesome podcasts but in real life’….and I think I’ll take that.
“On behalf of the festival, I’d like to thank all the support we’ve had from audiences, sponsors and the core team at Heywood House.
“This fantastic festival was proudly sponsored by: Wansbroughs LLP, True Story Brewing, Butcher Bros and LJ Hugs.
“To relive the magic (or see what you missed!), head over to heywoodhousetalks.co.uk.”
