Over sixty Year 4 pupils from Marlborough St Mary’s CE Primary School sang their hearts out on the steps of Marlborough Town Hall today, Thursday September 26, to mark the official opening of LitFest 2024.
Watched by many parents, shoppers and members of the LitFest Committee, the children sang, A Whole New World from Aladdin and Part of the World from The Little Mermaid
Genevieve Clarke, Chair of Marlborough LitFest, said, “This is always a great start to the festival and it’s fabulous to have so many children from St Mary’s here. We’re so grateful to Marlborough St Mary’s for all the hard work they’ve put in preparing for the event and for giving us such a celebratory start to the festival. It puts everyone in a festival mood and really announces the festival to the town.”
Later today, at 1.15 pm, author Candy Gourlay, will be speaking to Year 7 students from St John’s academy and other local schools for the Big School Read. At 4pm in the Town Hall, sixth-formers from St John’s Academy will be debating ‘Is it irresponsible for an author to write fiction outside of their own experience’. At 7.30pm the poet, John Siddique, will be at the Memorial Hall, Marlborough College.
Marlborough LitFest 2024 has a large children’s programme with free storytelling slots, craft activities as well as a bumper crop of children’s authors on offer. On Saturday September 28th there are several free events for children including storytelling slots(for children aged 0-8) at The Parade Cinema ( 11.30 am and 3pm). On Sunday at 1pm in St Peter’s Church there is a solo performance by Lizzie Lewis of Pan – the classic story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up (Ages 3-8). There is also a free trail around the High Street to find book clues in shops – pick up a leaflet in the Town Hall. With more than 40 events during the weekend for all ages, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, workshops and children’s events, there is something for everyone. Tickets are selling well but there are still tickets available for some events, please call 0333 666 3366, buy online or pop into the festival bookshop, The White Horse Bookshop
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