BOOKWORMS will be flocking to Northwich this spring as the River Weaver becomes a key attraction at a prestigious book festival.

The UK's 'literati' are ready to entertain Cheshire’s eggheads at the sixth Weaver Words Literature Festival, which includes a literary cruise with poets and musicians from the Anderton Boat Lift to Northwich Marina and back again.

This year’s festival line-up includes Britain’s poet laureate, Simon Armitage; Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks creator, Sir Phil Redmond; and the actual Charles Dicken’s great, great grandson, actor Gerald Dickens, who will be performing his stunning one man show, Great Expectations.

For those keener on happenings in the real world, celebrity politics professor, Andrew Blick, will be there to talk about his latest, much-anticipated take-down of the Westminster political elite, The Bonfire of the Decencies.

Festival manager, Lynn Pegler, said: “We’re delighted to have assembled a fantastic line-up for the sixth Weaver Words Literature Festival.

Northwich Guardian: The festival includes a literary river cruise, starting at the Anderton Boat LiftThe festival includes a literary river cruise, starting at the Anderton Boat Lift (Image: Canal and River Trust)

“We decided early on the theme for this year’s festival would be ‘New Beginnings’, reflecting the changing cultural landscape as we emerge from the pandemic.

“But by coincidence, this turned out to be amazingly appropriate, as King Charles announced his coronation date as Saturday, May 6, right in the middle of festival week!

“This led to some changes to the initial programme to accommodate performers, with the happy result that we offer an even longer and wider range of fabulous events to enjoy this year."

For small children, there will be a chance to enjoy a brilliant activity session with Asa Murphy, author of The Monkey with No Bum.

There will also be array of creative workshops on offer from a Howdunit crime writing masterclass with author Martin Edwards, to Writing for Wellbeing with Chester Cathedral poet-in-residence Julia McGuinness, plus a poetry walk and workshop in Frodsham’s Hob Hey Wood, with poet Jean Atkin.

The festival runs from Friday, April 28, to Sunday, May 7. Free copies of the festival brochure are available at Frodsham Community Centre, or on the Weaver Words Literary Festival website.

Lynn added:“We are grateful to all our sponsors for their kind support and to the dedicated volunteers who give their time and expertise to bring Weaver Words to life.”