Book Festival at Bartons Chilwell

Authors Flock to Old Bus Depot

 

The transport business may have been sold but Bartons PLC continues on its new journey as a cultural community centre under the guidance of its founder’s great-grandson. The 100 year old, 35,000 sq foot venue plays host to regular events under the banner of NOT. Having held Chilwell’s answer to The Cannes Film Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe and Glastonbury, it’s now the turn of literature to get the Bartons treatment.

On Sunday April the 7^th, New Writers UK will be hosting the NOT The Hay Book Festival, for an enticing day of talks and activities, as they take part in the day’s NOT the Camden Market event which runs simultaneously. Headlining the event will be guest speaker Stephen Booth, the popular crime writer will be discussing the sense of place and his use of locations. Earlier in the day, visitors will hear from the local author and historian Alan Oxley on the ‘History of Bartons Transport’ whilst Maureen Rushton will talk about the ‘Canary Girls of Chilwell’, having worked at the Chilwell Shell Filling Factory during the First World War.

Writers Gloria Morgan and Philip Baker will also be present, speaking about the role of character in fiction and revealing where ideas come from. The talks are all free to attend and no booking is required.

With around fifty stalls, the market celebrates all that Nottingham and the East Midlands has to offer and houses a seated food court area with live music, providing a free event for all the family. Plenty of parking is available at a venue that oozes character and history, so if you’re a fan of the written word, or just want a great day out, get along to Chilwell’s High Road between 10am and 4pm. More information on Not the Hay Book Festival can be found at www.newwritersuk.co.uk andwww.bartonsplc.co.uk