PRESS RELEASE November 2023
LEDBURY’S CHRISTMAS TOWN OF DELIGHTS
Ledbury Town Council and Ledbury Traders are celebrating the Poet Laureate John Masefield this year and his fabulous story A Box of Delights.
Masefield was Poet Laureate, the highest honour in the UK for a poet, for thirty years and he grew up here in Ledbury. You can find out all about him on our website which features a film of a Ledbury Poetry lecture on Masefield made in 2023: John Masefield – Ledbury Poetry
A Box of Delights has been called ‘the greatest children’s book ever written’ by The Times and is packed with adventure. It’s a magical tale of wolves, scrobbling and a box that can travel through time which Kay will have to fight to keep!
The Royal Shakespeare Company have created a magical show of The Box of Delights which runs through winter 2023. You can find out more HERE: https://www.rsc.org.uk/
Here in Ledbury all the shops will be decorating their Christmas windows with ‘A Box of Delights’ themes celebrating this beautiful winter children’s book!
Ledbury Poetry is running get creative art workshops on Saturday 18th and Saturday 25th creating A Box of Delights art work for window displays. Everyone is welcome! Book here: What’s On – Ledbury Poetry
On the afternoon of Sunday 26th November Ledbury Town Council turn on the Christmas Lights. Come and visit Father Christmas and enjoy the performers and music and market stalls. Full timetable of events is here https://www.ledburytowncouncil.gov.uk/en-gb/blog/information/christmas-lights-programme-of-events
On Friday 1st December Ledbury Traders host their annual Late Night Opening Event from 6pm – 8pm with music, dance, stalls, food and all the shops sparkling.
Ledbury Poetry House will be open too as Sally Crabtree sprinkles magic and delight with her Sweetshop of Words at Ledbury Poetry House on Thursday 30th, Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December. Drop in for FREE activities plus jamboree bags for children with fun activities such as edible poems and ‘pop a poem’. On a light hearted level the Sweetshop of Words is a nostalgic reminder of the agonizing choice we had as children when we couldn’t decide what to spend our pocket money on! On a deeper level it raises the question of choice. Voltaire said that “The most important choice you can make is to be in a good mood ” and the Sweetshop of Words aims to help people to do this! Find out more here: What’s On – Ledbury Poetry
The Ledbury Traders are donating all funds raised by the Bumper Christmas Hamper Raffle, packed with goods from all the traders, and the sale of local mistletoe, to Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. You can find out more here: https://www.bch.org.uk/
Ledbury will be packed with delights to celebrate Christmas. Everyone is welcome. Please come and visit our delightful town and all the beautiful independent shops packed with treasures #shoplocal!
For more information and for photos please contact Becky.shaw@ledburypoetry.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Ledbury Poetry is Inclusive, International, Inspirational
Ledbury Poetry is an arts based charity registration number 1059465
Ledbury Poetry creates live and online programmes throughout the year culminating in Ledbury Poetry Festival each July. Now in its 28th year, it is the largest and most international celebration of poetry and spoken word in Britain making Ledbury the home of poetry in the UK.
Ledbury Poetry Festival runs 28th June – 7th July 2024.
Ledbury Poetry has moved to The Barrett Browning Institute in Ledbury. Our new home is a hive of activity and welcomes visitors to workshops and events live in Ledbury and online throughout the year. Ledbury Poetry House also hosts the Box Office and a Bookshop.
Ledbury Poetry Critics launched its mentorship programme, recruiting 12 critics of colour, in 2017, and has been responsible for increasing the visibility of poets and critics of colour. There are now over 35 critics within the programme founded by Sandeep Parmar and Sarah Howe with support from Ledbury Poetry. Ledbury Poetry Critics introduce and chair events at Ledbury Poetry Festival and the first Guest Curator has been appointed in 2023 from this programme: Stephanie Sy-Quia. Full information on the programme can be found here: www.ledburypoetry.org.uk/home/ledbury-poetry-critics
Ledbury Poetry Player ensures that events are available for everyone around the world to enjoy.
Ledbury Poetry Competition runs annually. The Judge for 2023 is Philip Gross, Prizes include £1,000 and a week’s poetry course with our partner, Arvon. www.ledburypoetry.org.uk/competition
Ledbury Poetry Salons, Workshops, and Masterclasses are delivered live and online throughout the year. Look for programmes on our What’s On page www.ledburypoetry.org.uk
Ledbury Poetry Learning projects include work in schools, a monthly young writers group, the ‘Crucial Creators’ and learning opportunities for 16-25 year olds, as well as volunteering training and opportunities for all ages – all of which develop and enhance Ledbury as the Town of Poetry.
For all information and to explore our programmes please visit: www.ledburypoetry.org.uk
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For further information please contact Becky Shaw: becky.shaw@ledburypoetry.org.uk
Ledbury Poetry is grateful for support from