Morley Literacy Festival
Our 2008 festival is fanning out nicely, with some interesting names being lined up on the bill (and I’ve been sworn to secrecy on another but I’m very pleased about it). However, there was an interesting conversation about it last night- someone said it was actually really good but the name put them off. It is literature, not literacy, but the latter has been used in jest and in seriousness, albeit unintended.
What is the connection of Morley to Literature? Well, other than that the author of Bridget Jones’ Diary is a Morleian, frankly bugger all, as far as I can tell. There is a book publisher in the Town, but there isn’t even a bookshop. (There is a 2nd hand book stall in the Market, but it isn’t exactly Foyles and even the White Rose Centre only has a W H Smith, if you want a decent bookshop you have to go into Leeds or to Birstall where there is a decent Borders with a Paperchase and a Starbucks).
So should we have a festival? Of course, but it doesn’t have to be just about literature…
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I should think there was quite some connection between Morley and literature. Often such places are the haven for the arts as well.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
James, I’m in a hobble, as Morley folk would say. There certainly would have been art & poetry as pastimes but Morley isn’t a seat of learning and it would have been the same in any industrial mill town. We have a festival because a Councillor thought it would be a good idea but the historical justification was tenuous at best.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:57 am
OK so maybe it’s time to create a tradition! Certainly for theatre.