Sandwell Libraries Literature Festival returning even ‘bigger and better’

The festival will run between March 14 and March 28, with a range of daytime and evening events across Sandwell’s six towns.

Ahead of her appearance at Sandwell Libraries Literature Festival, Grace Caroline Holte did a talk at Blackheath Library on Monday.

She is the author of the Girl from Guildford Street, a story about growing up in Birmingham’s back-to-back houses in the 1950s and 60s.

During the festival, Grace will be talking at both Wednesbury and Oldbury libraries on March 17.

Other authors among the line-up for Sandwell Libraries Literature Festival are Roger Ellory, Mike Gayle and Joanna Toye – who will be discussing their work and writing experiences, and will be on hand to answer questions and sign books at libraries across the borough.

The festival will open on Saturday, March 14, with Confessions of a Cockney Temple Dancer at Thimblemill Library, a funny and visually stunning one-man performance which includes a bedazzling mixture of theatre, dance and film.

Actor Neil Gore will be bringing the novel The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists to life in his one-man magic lantern show at Central Library West Bromwich on Saturday 28 March to close the festival.

The well-received theatre production by Townsend Productions brings the 1914 novel, set in the building trades of Edwardian England, to life.

Councillor Wasim Ali, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for libraries, said: “This year’s Literature Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, building on last year’s programme of events with some great talks, live concerts, theatre and history fayres.

“Our libraries are at the heart of our communities in Sandwell and have become a real centre of live entertainment for people to enjoy.”

For more information about the festival, visit www.discoversandwell.co.uk