2013 Poetry Competition
Closing date: 31st May 2013. For further information, including a downloadable entry form, please visit:www.wigtownbookfestival.com/poetry-competition
The website gives full details of this year's judges: Robin Robertson (Main); Meg Bateman (Gaelic); and Liz Niven (Scots). You'll also find the blog post from 2012 Main Prize Judge, George Szirtes about his judging process.
The website gives full details of this year's judges: Robin Robertson (Main); Meg Bateman (Gaelic); and Liz Niven (Scots). You'll also find the blog post from 2012 Main Prize Judge, George Szirtes about his judging process.
Wigtown Spring Weekend
3-6 May 2013
Celebrate Wigtown's role as Scotland's National Book Town with the annual Spring Weekend, organised by the Association of Wigtown Booksellers in conjunction with Wigtown festival Company. Join us for a vibrant weekend including: theatre, music, workshops, exhibitions and events for families and book lovers - most of which will be hosted in our series of independent bookshops.
Celebrate Wigtown's role as Scotland's National Book Town with the annual Spring Weekend, organised by the Association of Wigtown Booksellers in conjunction with Wigtown festival Company. Join us for a vibrant weekend including: theatre, music, workshops, exhibitions and events for families and book lovers - most of which will be hosted in our series of independent bookshops.
Wigtown Spring Weekend tickets are available from the Box Office, County Buildings, Wigtown, tel: 01988 403222. Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 27 April 10am - 4pm and Sunday 28 April 2pm - 4pm and Spring Weekend 9am - 5pm. They are also available online - please click here.
Wigtown Writers’ Gathering
3 May 2013
9.15am-5pm
County Buildings, Wigtown
Ticket price: £7.00 (excl VAT and fees: £9.47 total)
Wigtown Book Festival is pleased to announce the inaugural Wigtown Writers’ Gathering. We are delighted to welcome critically acclaimed, bestselling author Louise Welsh to the gathering. Louise will be running a workshop, for which there are just a few spaces left. The Wigtown Writers’ Gathering also features one-to-one sessions with publishing professionals. This is a unique opportunity for writers from (and beyond) Dumfries and Galloway to congregate. The Wigtown Writers’ Gathering’s focus is to support established and emerging writers in developing writing skills, approach to writing and knowledge of writing though workshops, breakouts and one-to-one sessions.
This is also an occasion for writers to meet, talk and form new connections. Bookings for the Louise Welsh workshop and the one-to-one sessions will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are available here.
Wigtown Book Festival Dinner and Charity Auction
3 May 2013, 7.30pm
Bladnoch Distillery, Wigtown
Ticket price: £30.00 each or £250 per table of 10
The 15th Wigtown Book Festival takes place from 27 September to 6 October. Please join us for a charity dinner to raise funds for this year’s event, including the children’s and young people’s programme. Ticket price includes a three-course meal, tea, coffee and welcome drink. Auction lots donated by visiting authors and other supporters. Tickets available online or by telephone on 01988 402333. Bids may also be placed online for auction lots from tomorrow, Wednesday 1 May, with offers accepted until 5pm on Friday, before the live auction at 7pm. A number of lots will also remain online until Wednesday 15th May at 5pm. For details please visit the website.
Wigtown Writers’ Gathering
3 May 2013
9.15am-5pm
County Buildings, Wigtown
Ticket price: £7.00 (excl VAT and fees: £9.47 total)
Wigtown Book Festival is pleased to announce the inaugural Wigtown Writers’ Gathering. We are delighted to welcome critically acclaimed, bestselling author Louise Welsh to the gathering. Louise will be running a workshop, for which there are just a few spaces left. The Wigtown Writers’ Gathering also features one-to-one sessions with publishing professionals. This is a unique opportunity for writers from (and beyond) Dumfries and Galloway to congregate. The Wigtown Writers’ Gathering’s focus is to support established and emerging writers in developing writing skills, approach to writing and knowledge of writing though workshops, breakouts and one-to-one sessions.
This is also an occasion for writers to meet, talk and form new connections. Bookings for the Louise Welsh workshop and the one-to-one sessions will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are available here.
Wigtown Book Festival Dinner and Charity Auction
3 May 2013, 7.30pm
Bladnoch Distillery, Wigtown
Ticket price: £30.00 each or £250 per table of 10
The 15th Wigtown Book Festival takes place from 27 September to 6 October. Please join us for a charity dinner to raise funds for this year’s event, including the children’s and young people’s programme. Ticket price includes a three-course meal, tea, coffee and welcome drink. Auction lots donated by visiting authors and other supporters. Tickets available online or by telephone on 01988 402333. Bids may also be placed online for auction lots from tomorrow, Wednesday 1 May, with offers accepted until 5pm on Friday, before the live auction at 7pm. A number of lots will also remain online until Wednesday 15th May at 5pm. For details please visit the website.
Wigtown Spring Fair
Main Hall, County Buildings, Wigtown
5 and 6 May 2013, 10am - 4pm
Free Entry
Browse through an eclectic mix of stalls featuring artisan food and drink, contemporary visual arts, handmade crafts and jewellery, home and garden wares, plants and much more. With an emphasis on high-quality, unique products, from Dumfries and Galloway and beyond, it’s the perfect place to find unique gifts and treats. Tel: 01988 402036 for further information or visit our website or follow us onFacebook.
Main Hall, County Buildings, Wigtown
5 and 6 May 2013, 10am - 4pm
Free Entry
Browse through an eclectic mix of stalls featuring artisan food and drink, contemporary visual arts, handmade crafts and jewellery, home and garden wares, plants and much more. With an emphasis on high-quality, unique products, from Dumfries and Galloway and beyond, it’s the perfect place to find unique gifts and treats. Tel: 01988 402036 for further information or visit our website or follow us onFacebook.
Spring Fling Artist in Residence: Joanne B Kaar
RSPB Visitor Centre, County Buildings, Wigtown
25 - 28 May, 10.30am - 5.30pm each day
Joanne, an international artist who works with paper and natural fibres, lives and works from the northerly Dunnett in Caithness and has completed residencies, exhibited in and been comissioned in as diverse locations as Dounraey, North Uist, Korea, Taiwan, Tasmania, Germany, USA and Japan. Before beginning her residency at Wigtown Book Festival 2012, Joanne made two string dogs Newton and Stewart (named by Wigtown Book Festival goers). During the Book Festival, Joanne collected grasses and natural fibres from local gardens and used traditional techniques to make simmans or rope. She invited festival-goers to have a go at 'spinning a yarn' by adding a few words to the simmans as it was made. Newton and Stewart's story evolved in a random fashion. Come along to see what our artist-in-residence, Joanne B Kaar has made over the winter months using leaves and grasses collected during the Wigtown Book Festival, inspired by the adventures of Newton and Stewart, the local Wigtown Waggers! Have a go at making your own yarn from local plants and join in the fun adding a few words to write a new chapter in the adventures of Newton and Stewart. www.joannebkaar.com
RSPB Visitor Centre, County Buildings, Wigtown
25 - 28 May, 10.30am - 5.30pm each day
Joanne, an international artist who works with paper and natural fibres, lives and works from the northerly Dunnett in Caithness and has completed residencies, exhibited in and been comissioned in as diverse locations as Dounraey, North Uist, Korea, Taiwan, Tasmania, Germany, USA and Japan. Before beginning her residency at Wigtown Book Festival 2012, Joanne made two string dogs Newton and Stewart (named by Wigtown Book Festival goers). During the Book Festival, Joanne collected grasses and natural fibres from local gardens and used traditional techniques to make simmans or rope. She invited festival-goers to have a go at 'spinning a yarn' by adding a few words to the simmans as it was made. Newton and Stewart's story evolved in a random fashion. Come along to see what our artist-in-residence, Joanne B Kaar has made over the winter months using leaves and grasses collected during the Wigtown Book Festival, inspired by the adventures of Newton and Stewart, the local Wigtown Waggers! Have a go at making your own yarn from local plants and join in the fun adding a few words to write a new chapter in the adventures of Newton and Stewart. www.joannebkaar.com
Spring Fling
Scotland's Premier Art and Craft Open Studios Event takes place from 25-27 May 2013. For up to date news and events visit: www.spring-fling.co.uk
Scotland's Premier Art and Craft Open Studios Event takes place from 25-27 May 2013. For up to date news and events visit: www.spring-fling.co.uk
Spring Sing
Bladnoch Distillery, Bladnoch near Wigtown
Saturday, 25 May, 8pm till late
Tickets: £7.50 (includes 50p donation to Cancer Research UK Relay For Life Dumfries & Galloway)
Tickets for the Spring Sing concert at Bladnoch Distillery are now on sale at the Box Office, County Buildings, Wigtown, tel: 01988 403222. A unique opportunity to hear five distinctive singer-songwriters from the Machars performing all original music in a range of personal styles: Steve Dowling, Zoe Bestel, The Cochranes, The Mermaidsand Hope London. The event is part of the Spring Fling artists open studios Fringe, and a great way for studio-goers to relax, enjoy some Bladnoch whisky and experience music as diverse, individual and interesting as the art along the trail.
Supported by Spring Fling Fringe, Bladnoch Distillery and Huey Dowling at Unit 7 Studio (audio). Bar provided by The Bladnoch Inn.
'Festival Favourites' Recipe Booklet
A collection of favourite recipes from friends, festival-goers, volunteers and local businesses, is now available at £3.00 or £4.00 including post and packaging. If you would like to order a copy, please emailclaire@wigtownbookfestival.com or telephone 01988 402036.
Support the Festival
As a registered charity, Wigtown Book Festival is increasingly required to raise its funding from private donors. There are many ways you can support the Festival:
- Become a Festival Friend. For an annual fee of £20 (renewable 1 July), you will benefit from 10% discount on Festival events, receive an invitation to the Festival Launch party and receive advance notice of special Festival offers and events.
- Become a Friend for Life. For £200, this includes all of the above benefits plus a pair of free tickets to an event of your choice every year and two pairs in the first year.
- Become a Benefactor. For £250, your donation will go towards strengthening and developing the Festival eg. by expanding the children's and community programmes as well as purchasing the tehnical equipemnt needed to run a rapidly growing event. It will not be used for salaries or core costs. Benefactors will have their names included in a handcrafted Benefactors' Book, as well as in the Festival brochure and on an honour board on public display in Wigtown during the festival, be invited to a dedicated reception with the Festival Trustees, Director and visiting authors.
- Make a Donation. If you would like to make a donation (of any amount) to support the Festival, it just takes a minute to donate online, please visit www.wigtownbookfestival.com and click on the Donate box at the top right of the screen, you will then be directed to our Paypal page.
