Weaver Words Festival 2021 Report

Many thanks to everyone for a fantastic 2021 festival. We were delighted to be finally on stage after cancellations due to covid, with five days of inspirational talks, workshops, events and an explosion of new writing.

Topping the bill was BBC radio legend Mark Radcliffe, Radio 4 comedian Mitch Benn and TV forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes who took the audience on a spine-tingling journey into the dark world of the criminal mind based on her new book, ‘What Lies Buried’.

Dozens of new poems have now been posted on the Pop-up Poetry Wall in Frodsham Community Centre, especially created for the event by Norley artist Ann Crawford. Poets, old and new, responded to the festival theme of edgelands by posting up a small poem on a postcard. Visitors to the centre will be able to enjoy the wall until mid-September.

On the final night, Frodsham poet Andrew Rudd, a former Cheshire Poet Laureate, launched a new collection of poems Hob Hey, inspired by local woodland walks. And violinist Daniel Axworthy and guitarist John Chatterton performed a new duet inspired by Edgelands.

Flash Fiction Results

Prof Sue Zlosnik announced the results of the festival’s Flash Fiction competition, sponsored by FDR Law. Sarah Leavesley was awarded the £300 first prize with her moving, bite-sized story Bad Weather. Moira Garland was second and Caroline Coyle third, with three highly commended runners-up: Peter Barnes, Fran Pridham and Moira Garland. Read the winning stories here.

Great Weaver Words Children’s Writing Competition (Senior section) Results

Festival patron, Tim Firth announced the delayed results of the Great Weaver Words Children’s Writing Prize (senior section) – all winners are from Helsby High School. Sponsored by Frodsham and Helsby Rotary, Jessica P. won first prize and a £30 book token for her poem The Land Inbetween. Amelie J. was awarded the runner-up prize of a £20 book token and highly commended, with a £10 book token, were: Lilly B, Christa B, Alex C, Dylan D, Darcy D, Finlay J, Macie L, Sonny S, Ellie U, Ivy W. Read the winning stories here.

Many thanks to our patron Tim Firth and all our wonderful sponsors, supporters, volunteers and helpers who make this festival possible.

Photos from the Festival

Andy Jurgis (centre) with Lynn Pegler (festival manager) and Graham Reeves (Frodsham Community Association chairman)

Flash Fiction competition winners: Prof Sue Zlosnik and Tim Firth (standing) with winners Caroline Coyle, Sarah Leavesley, Peter Barnes

Weaver Words Poetry Wall with volunteers Graham Reeves, Christine Reeves, Lynn Pegler, Ann Crawford(artist), Sue Zlosnik and Pam Capstick.

Andy Jurgis seminar on environmental writer Robert Macfarlane

TV forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes signs books helped by her new lockdown pooch

Radio Four comedian Mitch Benn sings *Ten Songs to Save the World*

Legendary BBC radio presenter Mark Radcliffe signs copies of his new book *Crossroads*

Literary lunch guest crime writer Stephen Booth with volunteers Rod McGregor and Ann Crawford.

Liverpool regeneration expert Prof Michael Parkinson with volunteer Mick Ord.

Competition Winners

Here is a list of the Winners, you can read the prize winning stories by clicking on the link and reading or printing the PDF file.

	Name	Title of Story
1st Prize	Sarah Leavesley	Bad Weather
2nd Prize	Moira Garland	The Return of the Key
3rd Prize	Caroline Coyle	Hiding in Plain Sight
Runner up	Peter Barnes	The Protected
Runner up	Francesca Pridham	Take the Biscuit
Runner up	Moira Garland	The Florist Advises