Supporters
Words by the Water Festival of Words and Ideas is now jointly organised by Leah Varnell in partnership with Lucy and Gwenda Matthews of Bookends Keswick and Carlisle.
The book festival has been an important feature on the Keswick community calendar for 25 years. 2024 saw an exciting new adventure with Words by the Water in partnership with the independent Keswick bookshop, Bookends and Theatre by the Lake. The festival is a place to come together and share ideas, learn, discuss and discover.
Bookends
Bookends an independent, family-owned bookshop has been in Keswick over 30 years.
Theatre by the Lake
Theatre by the Lake has been producing theatre in Cumbria since 1999 when it replaced the much- loved Blue Box Century Theatre.
Kierweb
Kierweb offers Fast Affordable Web Design from one page websites to full e-commerce sites.
Fi & Becs
Fi & Becs Design & Wording is a boutique creative agency that doesn't cost the earth.
Also thanks to ...
Cumbria Life for supporting the festival once again
https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/cumbria
Catherine Fairfield of Appletrees Guest House for providing lovely comfortable accommodation and hearty, delicious breakfasts for the writers who stay there.
https://appletreeskeswick.com
George at Merienda for providing delicious meals which are very much appreciated by the writers.
https://www.merienda.co.uk/
The University of Cumbria for their continued support.
https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate/literature-romanticism-and-the-english-lake-district/
Words of Welcome from the Presidents of Words by the Water
It’s an honour to welcome you back to what has been called ‘the jewel of literary festivals’ which continues to bring the world of literature to the heart of Cumbria. This year the list affirms the talent of Cumbria and celebrates a host of writers – historians, poets, novelists, travel writers and many, many more.
With its talks, exhibitions and workshops, Words by the Water affirms the new landscape as Spring enters the Lake District. Enjoy browsing the brochure and I hope to meet you there.The festival would not happen without the hard work of Leah, Jane, and of course Gwenda and Lucy from Bookends. They all work tirelessly throughout the year with the team from Theatre by the Lake, led by Simon and Amy. But the festival is also in debt to the many local volunteers who generously give their time and wisdom from working as ushers to interviewing writers. With their continued support, this is a truly Cumbrian event which welcomes people from all over the world.
This year we are proud to team up with Lakeland Book of the Year Awards for our Cumbrian Young Writers’ Award. The new branch of their charity will support the next generation of young Cumbrian writers.
With its talks, exhibitions and workshops, Words by the Water affirms the new landscape as Spring enters the Lake District. Enjoy browsing the brochure and I hope to meet you there.
