THE CHARLES Causley Festival, Launceston's celebration of literature and the arts, continues today and tomorrow.
Only four years old, it is rapidly establishing itself as a very special festival with a strong Cornish theme, featuring many west country writers and musicians, and with the memory of Charles Causley and his work running throughout the programme.
The week-end offers a medley of poetry, literature, exhibitions, storytelling, walks, film and music.
Festival secretary Rita Skinner said they had had some excellent events, including readings by former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion yesterday (Friday)'
"We had a good night with the Friday Night poets and lots of people came to see the film on the Murder of Charlotte Dymond. Around 50 people are on one of Jane Nancarrow's Causley walks this morning, and we have Peter Edwards in conversation with poet Penelope Shuttle, who will be reading her new works, this afternoon in the Guidhall."
The festival kicked off on Thursday with the premiere of a new cd from musician Jim Causley of the poems of Charles Causley set to Jim's own arrangements. The recording was made in February at Cyprus Well, Charles Causley's home for most of his life
More music happens this evening with Bob Tinker and the Jazz Prophets at the White Hart Hotel, and a big gig on tomorrow night at the Town Hall,
Lanson MusicFest, featuring Dalla, the PJP Band, the Gumbo Fliers, Thee Aims, the Ukeladies and Issy Paul.
Saturday sees the first Festival Craft and Produce Market in the town square.
Tomorrow features a free family fun day at Launceston Castle, with participation from Story Republic, Oksigen Theatre, the producers of Kernowcopia and a host of others.
Entertainment will be provided from 10.30am until 4pm, all free. More fun will be provided by Dr Mike Sparrow revealing some stories from medical life over lunch at Jericho's Bistro.
Tomorrow afternoon will feature memories of Charles Causley, from poetry editor Anne Harvey, and Laurence Green, who is currently writing a biography of Charles Causley. Charles Causley was born in Launceston in 1917 and died there in 2003. He is acknowledged as one of the very finest 20th century English poets, winning many awards for his work, including the Queen's Gold Award for Poetry.
The Charles Causley Festival was started not only to promote Causley's poetry and other work, and to bring it to the attention of new readers, but to offer the opportunity to hear and meet contemporary writers, poets and musicians in the intimate surroundings of this historic Cornish town.
The festival is run entirely by volunteers, and this year has been supported by Arts Council England, LiteratureWorks and Launceston Town Council.
