WALKING WITH PERCY

Date Posted: 30th January 2014

It’s festival  time coming up again in Keswick from 7th – 16th March.

Thursday 13th March is a special day for me. Not only am I  giving an illustrated talk on Percy Kelly’s West Cumbria at 11.00 but at 4.15 on the same day, due to a cancellation of the advertised talk * Jovan Nicholson, grandson of Ben and Winifred will talk about his new book Art and Life.  It will explore the creative partnership between his grandparents Ben and Winifred Nicholson and the inspiration that flowed between them.  He examines also their friendship with Christopher Wood, their meeting with Alfred Wallis and the way they interacted with the potter William Staite Murray. 

* Judith Tebbutt who was talking about kidnap and survival

I have stood on the stage at the theatre many times now talking about Hercules,  running a gallery, Percy’s letters,  Sheila Fell, Percy’s biography but this is a new talk. It is not just about Kelly but  about art and literature and its connection with the rich history of West Cumbria.  There are links with Charles Dickens, Jonathan Swift, Wilkie Collins, Hilary Mantel. You will see the area anew through Kelly’s eyes. You will probably want to rush off and explore the coast yourself.

Each talk is £9 but you can book the whole day of  5 talks for £35.  also (includes novelist  Helen Dunmore, Richard Harris on Modern Art and Mark Bostridge on 1914 war). Now that’s what I call a bargain.

Once again the people at Ways with Words have put together an exciting  and diverse programme. I don't know how they do it year after year.  With Jeremy Paxman, Kirsty Wark, Jonathan Aitken, Stuart Maconie, Joanna Trollope and many more luminaries of media, arts and literature, local and national, I defy anyone not to find something of interest.
See the full programme at www.wordsbythewater.org.uk.
Book on line at www.theatrebythelake.com  or telephone the box office 017687 74411
I’ll see you there.