Shoreham Wordfest set for another sell-out event

Shoreham Wordfest, which takes place at sites across Shoreham from October 3 to 16, is set for another successful year, with some events already sold out.

Tickets to see BBC news presenter Clive Myrie in conversation and a performance of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood have sold out, but there are still a limited number of tickets available to see the headline act, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, perform with his band LYR.

Simon Armitage (Image: Adur & Worthing Councils)

The band will perform tracks from their debut album Call in The Crash Team at the Ropetackle Arts Centre on October 11.

They will be supported by vocalist, composer and musician Rebecca Askew.

Meanwhile, a traditional Ceilidh with Kate’s Kitchen Band is set to get feet tapping at the Shoreham Centre on October 9.

The band’s musical influences include traditional and contemporary folk, jazz, classical and Morris dance music.

Due to high demand, the State of the Nation panel discussion has been moved to a larger venue and is now taking place at St Mary de Haura Church on October 7.

Attendees will hear from four leading commentators on political affairs, including Channel 4 News political editor Gary Gibbon and journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, as they give their thoughts on the current issues of the day.

Journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (Image: Adur and Worthing Councils)

Following the political theme, former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP will discuss his recent book Zero, Eliminating Preventable Harm and Tragedy in the NHS, at The Barn Theatre, Southwick on October 12.

Expect to learn more about his proposition to prevent avoidable deaths, save money, reduce backlogs and improve working conditions.

Tickets have been reduced to £5 for NHS staff.

And for the first time, the festival features a whole day dedicated to crime fiction.

The Fatal Shore festival of crime writing has been curated by authors Elly Griffiths and William Shaw and features best-selling playwright and author Kate Mosse as well as a host of other top writers.

There will be a chance to meet the authors as well as browse a book stall.

Tickets are £10 per panel discussion, £40 for the whole day or a special rate of £30 per person for groups of four or more.

This year there is also a day dedicated to environmental issues.

The Environment Day Summit: Citizens not Consumers event takes place at the Shoreham Centre on October 9. Join author Jon Alexander as he discusses his book Citizens with broadcaster Jane Mote.

Author Kate Hughes will also share her story of an ordinary family’s journey to a zero-waste and sustainable lifestyle. Plus, there will be a talk from the president of Sussex Wildlife Trust Dr Tony Whitbread.

To experience some community action projects in person, visitors can also head out on one of the guided walks to the Steyning Downland Scheme or New Salts Farm.