The QT

Thursday 9 May 2024
09/05/2024

Festivals

Why NOVUM festival’s no shrinking violet

It had to be a first. Never before, surely, within the beautiful debating chamber at Newcastle Civic Centre, has anybody raised the prospect of shrink-wrapping local residents. Feasibly it could have been mulled over as a punishment for some civic misdemeanour — non-payment of council tax, perhaps, or serial bus lane infringement. It might even …

Spring event has a compelling story to tell

Politics is writ large at this year’s Hexham Book Festival as the popular literary event returns to its springtime slot for 2024. A busy 10 days will see 55 events taking place across the Northumberland market town, including in conversation gatherings, film screenings, writing workshops and book group events. The Queen’s Hall Arts Centre and …

Wedded to words… and each other

David Almond and Julia Green have lived on their quiet Tynemouth street since November 2022 and if ever a place could be called a house of stories it’s surely theirs. Bookending the upstairs landing are studies — one each, with desk, writerly paraphernalia and personal flourishes. Julia’s has a bookcase with David’s published titles and …

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