DUE TO FAMILY COMMITMENTS, JOHN IS UNABLE TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL. WE HOPE TO WELCOME HIM BACK IN 2025. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused. 

Come and revel in poems and oratory with one of the UK's most sought after authors, John Agard.  His love of language stemmed from listening to cricket commentaries on the radio as well as books and magazines and his writing has been on the GCSE curriculum for decades which means that 1000's of adults and their children have grown up with his work and words.  He is author of over 50 books including the much-shortlisted Windrush Child (Walker Books), Border Zone (Bloodaxe), short story collection Inspector Dreadlock Holmes & Other Stories (Hope Road Publishing) and a new poetry book for young adults Wise Up! Wise Down! (Walker Books) co-written with Jon Arno. His contributions to literature have been recognised through accolades including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry and a BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award.  Agard will read from his works and perform classic treasures alongside new treats in an event that celebrates rhythm and wordplay. This event is produced with Renaissance One. renaissanceone.co.uk/