WordFest

The Wakefield district’s annual celebration of words is back!

The Wakefield district’s annual celebration of words is back and runs throughout the whole of May.

The brochure is available in libraries and online here. An accessible version can be found here.

WordFest, a celebration of words, returns in May and is Part of Our Year – Wakefield District 2024.

Children and adults can enjoy lots of exciting events as part of this year’s WordFest programme. Events will be held in the district’s libraries and other community settings during the month-long festival celebrating words, which will encourage residents of all ages to explore their own creativity.

This year’s program includes creative commissions from Tmesis Theatre, What’s The Story?, ButterCrumble, Charlie Wells Music and Story Trails. There are also young peoples’ creative writing workshops, and much more.

Prepare to be swept away by the power of language and storytelling as the Wakefield district celebrates the written and spoken word in all its glory.

Up And Away by Tmesis Theatre

Embark on an exciting journey back to the Merrie Fair, Wakefield 1827, as the crowds gather to witness the daring hot air balloon mission of the mysterious Brown Brothers!

Up and Away is an interactive family friendly show using words, puppetry, and physical theatre, in a celebration of hope and dreaming the impossible!

Tmesis Theatre are an acclaimed physical theatre company based in Liverpool.

This is a family friendly performance that can be enjoyed by any age

🔗 Click here for all dates and venues.

Tales of Wonderment by What's The Story?

What’s The Story? bring stories to life by incorporating multisensory activities to enhance each tale in a fully interactive experience. Carefully formulated for young children, workshops are enjoyed by children and their adults of all ages!

Join them on a whistlestop tour of the Wakefield district’s heritage and experience real life stories in a way you have never done before, engaging all the senses. Sing, dance, create and absorb yourselves in a truly interactive and memorable workshop.

Suitable for ages 0-5 and accompanying adults

🔗 Click here for all dates and venues.

Design your Family Coat of Arms with ButterCrumble

This immersive session invites children and their families to delve into the rich tapestry of their family stories. Inspired by Wakefield’s Our Year theme, participants will learn about the historical significance of coats of arms and how to turn their stories into a bespoke emblem.

Through hands-on illustration and collage, participants can explore meaningful words that encapsulate their family values, feelings, and aspirations. They can then sketch and design their coat of arms, incorporating symbols and colours that reflect their heritage and individuality. Families will leave with a personal artwork and a deeper appreciation for their unique heritage.

Suitable for ages 4-8

🔗 Click here for all dates and venues.

Telling Tales and Talking Tunes with Charlie Wells

Join Charlie and Nick to create new music and sounds to explore stories about where you live.

This two-hour workshop will include sharing stories, creative writing, poetry and exploring music using live and electronic instruments, loop pedals, synths and drum machines. You can bring your own instrument, or just yourself, and use the resources we provide.

No musical or writing experience necessary, this is about having a go and working together to share our heritage and stories.

Suitable for ages 8-12.

🔗 Click here for all dates and venues.

Let’s Get Crankie! with Story Trails

Crankie Theatres are storytelling machines that allow the storyteller to create and show moving panoramas (also known as story scrolls). They are lots of fun to watch and to make, and Let’s Get Crankie! is your chance to have a go! Come along and discover a local story being wound through our Crankie Theatre, then create your own carboard crankie, complete with a story scroll.

This workshop will introduce you to crankie theatres, some fundamentals in visual storytelling and using story scrolls, and will support you to create your own crankie and accompanying story.

For ages 10-14 and accompanying adults.

🔗 Click here for all dates and venues.

Chronicles of Culture with Wakefield LitFest

Chronicles of Culture with Wakefield LitFest is a practical writing workshop that will provide budding writers aged 16-25 with skills to unlock ideas and craft stories inspired by culture, community, and heritage.

Starting with how to create initial ideas and then develop these into compelling narratives, workshops will be facilitated by a professional writer and members of the Wakefield LitFest young people’s board.

All you’ll need is a notebook and pen or your preferred alternative!

Suitable for ages 16-25.

🔗 Click here for all dates and venues.

George Webster

Meet George Webster – the inspiring CBeebies star and BAFTA winner.

George Webster is a 23-year-old BAFTA-winning TV presenter, actor, author and dancer from Leeds. He made history when he became the first CBeebies presenter with Down Syndrome, quickly becoming a beloved fixture on the channel.

Now, you have the chance to hear George’s remarkable story firsthand. At this special event, he will read excerpts from his books This is Me? And Why Not? and will talk about his life, his career and how we are all unique, all talented and special.

Discover how George’s positivity, determination and pride in his identity can inspire us all to be the best versions of ourselves.

📅 Wednesday 29 May
⌚ 5pm – 6:30pm
📍 Wakefield Cathedral

🔗 Click here for more information including booking details.