COMEDIAN Dave Spikey and famous authors will be in Farnworth next month for the town’s first Literature and Arts Festival.

The award-winning comic will officially open the event, which comes just weeks after the Hay Festival.

It has been organised by Harper Green School as part of their annual “Arts Fest” which this year enters a new chapter with the addition of literature to re-ignite people’s passion for books.

Dave will be joined by children’s authors Anne Fine and Gareth P Jones who have booked their place.

The two writers will be staging workshops for visitors, and the first 100 pupils will received a free signed book from one of the authors.

Other highlights include an Alice in Wonderland Character Trail, Revolting Rhymes competition, Extreme Reading challenge as well as well as dance, drama, and music performances based on characters and events from favourite children’s novels.

Parents can find out how to help their children with reading and writing in special workshops organised by the school’s English teachers.

Organisers say the idea of the festival, which takes place at the school on July 5, is to inspire people to go home and pick up a good book.

Assistant headteacher Dawn Russell said: “Dave Spikey is opening the event and our two visiting authors are hugely popular children’s writers.

She added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the pleasure and numerous benefits of reading.”

PROGRAMME

  • 10.30am: Dave Spikey opens the festival
  • 11am: Flash Mob
  • 11.15am: Author’s workshop
  • Noon: Shakespeare in the Park
  • 12.45pm: Literacy Workshop
  • 1.15pm: Author’s Workshop
  • 2.15pm: Dance Performance