Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival

14-21 October 2019

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Olivia Lomenech Gill, the award-winning illustrator of JK Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Olivia Lomenech Gill
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For its seventh year, Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival is still thinking big, with a week-long stretch from Monday 14 to Monday 21 October across various venues. More than just your average book festival – it’s the ideas bit that makes the difference, and they’ve got plenty. As well as literature, creative writing and spoken word, you’ll find drama, music, comedy, dance, current affairs and plenty for the kids and young people – expect exciting arts for all ages.

From former poet laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy to Chocolat author Joanne Harris MBE, internationally acclaimed writers and thinkers have played an important part in Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival’s development. This year is no exception, with television presenter John Craven popping in, along with feel-good fiction writer Milly Johnson, hosting afternoon tea at Rochdale Town Hall and reading from her latest novel, The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew, which made the top five of the Sunday Times bestseller list.

Author Hanna Jameson.
Author Hanna Jameson.

Also here are Gogglebox star and broadcaster Reverend Kate Bottley, children’s author and TV presenter Konnie Huq, author and autism, invisible disability and LGBTQIA+ activist Erin Ekins, international bestselling crime author and poet Sophie Hannah, popular children’s authors Harry Heape and Hannah Lee, as well as Olivia Lomenech Gill, the award-winning illustrator of JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as well as Michael Morpurgo’s Where My Wellies Take Me.

From former poet laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy to Chocolat author Joanne Harris MBE, internationally acclaimed writers and thinkers have played an important part in Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival’s development

The festival will launch with a very special event: the unveiling of a new blue plaque at Touchstones Rochdale in honour of local couple Annie and Frank Maskew, who met in Rochdale Library in the 1950s and shared a passion for reading and thinking – so much so that they donated a generous bequest which made the Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival possible.

We’re looking forward to the ‘Women Who Write: Dystopia’ event on Wednesday 16 October, when Hanna Jameson, bestselling author of end-of-the-world novel The Last, and Fiona Shaw, author of YA hit Outwalkers, will be talking about the concept of dystopia and the impact of female writers on the genre. Discussing the rise and revival of women-driven dystopian fiction, from Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel-turned-weirdly-popular TV series The Handmaid’s Tale to Naomi Alderman’s recent award-winner The Power, this is set to be an interesting and thought-provoking evening.

Lancashire-based American fiction and creative nonfiction writer, and co-organiser of Lancaster’s popular Stories At The Storey, Yvonne Battle-Felton appears on Friday 18 October, reading from her debut novel Remembered, a powerful story of segregation and slavery, recently longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019.

The Festival culminates with Tales From The Town Hall, taking place in the iconic Gothic-style building with an exclusive performance of the winning competition entry for the playwright competition for young people aged 14-25 in Rochdale. 22-year-old Riz Ali’s play was chosen from a stellar line-up of entries, and is currently being mentored by TV and stage scriptwriter Nicola Schofield to turn her entry into a 30-minute play. It will be performed at the finale event, which includes a tour of Rochdale Town Hall and a drinks reception. Tickets for all events are available now. For the full line-up and details of venues and to book tickets, see the festival website.

Where to go near Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival

Manchester
Food hall
Kargo MKT

Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

Asap Coffee Interior/ Counter
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
ASAP Coffee

If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

Interior of George St Chapel
Manchester
Event venue
George Street Chapel

This beautifully restored former Independent Methodist Chapel in the heart of Oldham is as much a creative hub as a heritage landmark.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Pho Cue

Family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Prepare to queue for Pho Cue.

Come to Swithens Farm for a great family day out in Leeds. Our farm has plenty to offer whatever age you are!Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around. We now have a farm shop, café, playbarn and petting farm. When we first opened we only had the usual farm animals – cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and it was free entry. We now have llamas, alpacas, meerkats, rabbits, guinea pigs, donkeys and a pony.On the working farm, we breed our own cows, pigs and sheep and we sell the meat through the farm shop and the café. If you buy a sausage sandwich from the café the sausage will be from the butcher who has made the sausage by hand using our own pork. We also produce our own free-range eggs.
Leeds
Swithens Farm

Swithens Farm is a working farm. For many years now Ian and his wife Angela have built a following that they welcome in all year around.

Peak District
Restaurant
The Chequers Inn

The Chequers Inn is a 16th century, family-run, traditional country inn with an impressive dining space. The Peak District at its best.

Testbed Main Space
Leeds
Event venue
TESTBED

TESTBED is a newly renovated 10,000 sq foot event venue in Leeds that offers endless possibilities for creating unique and inspiring experiences.

Manchester
Restaurant
Salt & Pepper

Chinese inspired British food in the centre of Manchester, backed up by plenty of well-deserved local hype.

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

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Deryn Rees-Jones. Credit Alison Dodd Photography
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Deryn Rees-Jones at Open Eye Gallery

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Free entry

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