WHAT IS HAPPENING AT WORDS BY THE WATER
Date Posted: 5th March 2026
I promised to tell you more about the festival in January but I have been staring into the computer writing a new book and forgot about the time. and now it is upon us and I have laid down my pen.
Four years ago I told you about the two retired medics from Cambridge, Dr Eleanor and Professor Andrew Bradley who love the work of Cumbrian artist Sheila Fell. They had taken on the task of finding and photographing every oil painting she had ever made - to be published in a Catalogue Raisonne of her work. Sheile Fell was born in Aspatria about 8 miles north west of Keswick - the only child of a coal miner and seamstress. She lived in London as an adult but lived, breathed and painted Cumberland all her short life. She was befriended by L S Lowry and became one of the few female Royal Academicians before she tragically died at the far-too-young age of 48.
I have got to know the Bradleys very well as they have assiduously followed up every clue and discovered far more paintings than they had ever anticipated. What an amazing achievement. They will be talking about their experiences and adventures in researching and putting this beautiful book together. Don’t miss it. SHEILA FELL Catalogue Raisonne
There’s only a week to go before Keswick comes to life again to celebrate 25 years of this wonderful festival. It has survived ‘close-down covid ‘ and the death of its co-founder Kay Dunbar (to whom we will be paying homage) to present us with an exceptionally good programme with something for everyone. There is a broad range of subjects from crime writers to Booker short listers; mountain climbers from Chris Bonington to mountain painter Julian Cooper who is exhibiting some of his work throughout the festival. There are also journalists and politicians from the acidic satire of John Crase to columnist Sarah Vine ( divorcee of Michael Gove) telling us HOW NOT TO BE A POLITICAL WIFE - though I can’t see how anyone would ever want to be! Pru Leith will be popular telling us how to grow old disgracefully. I’m avidly working on that one! I chaired Monisha Rajesh a few years ago about train travel. I’m thrilled to find she’s still gadding around the world on trains with her latest book - AROUND THE WORLD BY NIGHT TRAIN and hope Avanti get her here on time.
But what about the arts? As well as Sheila Fell there are more treats.
Andrew Graham Dixon our finest art critic, writer and presenter is bringing his new book about 17th Century Vermeer who died aged 43 leaving 36 exceptional paintings full of light and mystery. I was quite cynical about his new theories until I read his book. VERMEER. A LIFE LOST AND FOUND. I am now a firm believer! He has done some incredible research! Come and hear what he has to say and show us.
You have probably seen Art Historian Dr Bendor Grosvenor on the Fame or Fortune programme on TV proving or disproving the provenance of works of art sent in by viewers. You can meet him in the flesh when he will be talking about THE INVENTION OF BRITISH ART.
There is so much going on in the 5 days of the festival. There are workshops, poetry, writing, calligraphy – every corner of theatre by the Lake has something going on – see the web site. Once again it has become an annual event. A place to see and be seen. A place to meet old friends and to make new ones a place to exchange ideas.
www.wordsbythewaterkeswick.com. Or pick up a brochure.
You can book on line at theatrebythelake.com. or via the Box office - telephone 01768 774411 or in person at the theatre.