News

08 November 2010

The 2010 Ted Hughes Festival was a great success. We have been arguing amongst ourselves which was the best event but can't agree. We know that the walks were the best supported events as they were sold out. You are obviously a fit lot in Calderdale! The children's walk, Gnoming in Nutclough, could have been sold out three times over which makes us think that we should aim more events at children in future festivals. What do you think? 

For many, Daniel Huws appears to have been the highlight of the festival. The audience appeared genuinely moved as they sat in hushed silence listening to Daniel relate his memories of Ted Hughes and his time in Rugby Street. A real one off opportunity for anyone interested in the biographical poetry of Hughes.

For others it was watching Kevin Crossley-Holland interact and inspire children with tales of his childhood museum and precious things. His comments on the poetry prize winners' work was a lesson for any parent or teacher. I'm sure every child left the room a couple of inches taller! And how wonderful to hear the next generation read their own work so beautifully. Our congratulations to all the prize winners.

Congratulations also go to the children of Burnley Road, Scout Road and Cragg Vale Schools who started off the festival with their Ted with Ted. Again it was lovely to hear both children's original work and Ted's poetry ringing out yards away from Ted birthplace. Thank you to all the teachers involved and to members of the St. Michael's community for refreshments and hospitality.

We would also like to thank the BOOKCASE Bookshop from Hebden Bridge who had a stall over the festival, and especially for obtaining some out of print and more unusual titles. Some of us are a few pounds lighter this week because of that temptation!

But most of all we would like to thank our members and everyone who joined us at our events, for turning out and supporting the festival. We would welcome comments from you at info@theelmettrust.co.uk about what you enjoyed at the festival. Mindful of the current economic climate we tried hard to keep our ticket prices as low as possible and we would be interested to hear your comments on value for money, refreshments, bookshop, ticket booking, publicity, website, communication or suggestions for future festival events.

If you are not already a memeber, why not join? For a minimal entry membership of £1, you will receive regular e-letters from The Elmet Trust that will keep you uptodate with all our goings-on. Click here for more information.