What is the Wealden Literary Festival?
Set in Boldshaves Garden just outside Woodchurch, the Wealden Literary Festival was started in 2015 by Peregrine and Deirdre Massey. Hunter Law became a sponsor just two years after its inception and has proudly continued to support it as it’s grown for almost a decade.
Why is the Festival important to Hunter Law?
“Access to books is vital in our community. Not only do they educate and broaden the mind, but they can bring comfort too,” says Jenna Hunter, Founder and CEO of Hunter Law.
“I love that the festival has always been family friendly, with lots to do for all age groups. And who doesn’t want to meet the people who created the characters we have grown to love? A highlight for me was meeting Michael Morpurgo. My family has enjoyed his books and the audio version of “War Horse” was a regular auditory backdrop to bedtime when the kids were young.”
Highlights from previous years
With an auspicious line up – from novelists and poets to activists and artists – the Festival delivers a varied and exciting programme every year.
Previous speakers include:
- Former poet laureate, Andrew Motion, discussing his life and poetry (Sleeping on Islands: A Life in Poetry)
- Madeleine Bunting’s shared her travels to the great seaside resorts exploring their history and present-day struggles in The Seaside: England’s Love Affair
- Keggie Carew’s Beastly: A New History of Animals and Us examining the relationship between humans and animals
- Artist and activist, Katie Holten presented her book The Language of Trees: A Rewilding of Literature and Landscape
Why should you join us this year?
Festival patron, Michael Morpurgo sums up the Wealden Literary Festival experience when he says,
“To be at Wealden Festival, is to be with kindred spirits, telling our tales, talking our talk, singing our songs, listening and learning, eyes open and ears open, heart open, to one another and to the wild and wondrous world about us.”
Yes, indeed. We hope to see you there!
The 2025 Programme – June 21 and 22
This year’s line-up is exceptional. To find out more, just visit 2025 Programme – Wealden Literary Festival.
