Lit Fest targets families

Montgomeryshire Literary Festival has unveiled a stellar line-up for June 14-16 and is encouraging families to make a date of it.

Now in its second year, the 2019 Monty Lit Fest will take place in the stunning and historic setting of Gregynog Hall, near Newtown. 

Organisers are hoping that all ages will attend with family friendly activities running alongside the festival.

While parents enjoy hearing from authors including Horatio Clare, Neil Spring and Clare Mackintosh, the Woodland Pack Company will be running a bespoke childcare service, offering a range of nature-based activities from their outdoor bell tent, including storytelling, the chance to make a Mary Poppins Kite or a Harry Potter Wand – and much more.

Ornithologist, author and writer, Matt Sewell will be running a Spotting and Jotting workshop on the afternoon of Saturday (June 15), encouraging adults and children to look out for and draw feathered friends.

Older children can join their parents at a Saturday afternoon session with Elizabeth Garner, who will be telling the story of her father, Alan Garner’s timeless classic, The Owl Service. 

Meanwhile, the gardens and grounds of Gregynog offer plenty of opportunities for family picnics and adventures in between Festival sessions – with Gregynog catering for the whole family with everything from cafes and bars to ice cream and treats. 

Festival founder, Simon Baynes, said: “Being at Gregynog means that this year’s Festival really can offer something for all the family. We firmly believe in encouraging the next generations of readers to come along and have their first taste of what the literary world can offer – while having a whole lot of fun and letting off a little literary steam of their own.

“We’re also pleased to be able to offer the childcare that allows parents to join in with the Festival’s main programme.”

Online ticket sales and full programme details  - including the programme for children - are available via www.montylitfest.com.

Accommodation for the weekend, as well as a fine array of food and drink, is available at Gregynog Hall. And, once again, the Festival bookshop will be run by Oswestry’s Booka Bookshop.