Our annual celebration of great storytelling, Wrexham’s Carnival of Words, has been running since 2015. Wrexham’s Library Services and a small team of volunteers bring fabulous writers to audiences across our local communities.
This year is no exception. Running officially from 23rd-30th April, but with a special opening event featuring the wonderful Mark Billingham, here are just some highlights from the first few days.
Mark Billingham
Thursday 21st April, 7pm; Wrexham Library
Crime fiction writer Mark started his career 20 years ago. He has now sold over six million copies, had 20 Sunday Times bestsellers and spent over 120 weeks in the top ten. Two of his books have also been TV series – Thorne by Sky starring David Morrissey and In the Dark by the BBC. A third is currently in development.
Storytelling for Families
Saturday 23rd April, 11am to 3pm; Yellow and Blue, Henblas Street
These sessions are for storytellers to entertain children of all ages.
Fiona Collins is a renowned English/Welsh spoken-word storyteller with a particular interest in Welsh myths and legends.
Sarah Parkinson will bring us tales from her Willow Park series and will also give audience members some quick drawing lessons to help young writers illustrate their stories.
Jude Lennon is a famous author and spoken-word storyteller who brings her trusty Little Lamb Tales mascots to “spin some fabulous yarns”.
Krishnapriya Ramamoorthy narrates Indian folk tales through South Asian dance – definitely not to be missed!
Historical Fiction Double Bill – Pat Bracewell and Barbara Erskine
Saturday 23rd April, 5pm; Wrexham Library
Pat Bracewell joins us from California. She will talk about her most recent novel, The Steel Beneath the Silk – the third part in her Emma of Normandy series. Pat brilliantly recreates the medieval world of this little-known, twice-crowned queen.
Afterwards, Sunday Times bestselling novelist Barbara Erskine brings us her unique blend of history and the supernatural as she talks about the inspiration for her latest epic blockbuster, The Dream Weavers, set along the borders of England and Wales, in the eighth century and 2021.
Barbara will explain how her novels combine a passion for history with a fascination for the paranormal, something that allows for possibilities that can put us in touch with the distant past.
Jason Bray – Deliverance
Sunday 24th April, 5pm; St. Giles Church
The Reverend Dr Jason Bray is the Vicar of St Giles and also a deliverance minister. In Deliverance: Everyday Investigations Into Poltergeists, Ghosts And Supernatural Phenomena, he shares his varied experiences investigating paranormal phenomena. Coincidentally, he is the first Anglican deliverance minister to write about his experiences. This event is certainly a must for anyone interested in things that go bump in the night and promises to be poignant and humorous.
These events are just for the opening weekend. Next month, we’ll look at the highlights from the programme’s second half. Meanwhile, you can also pick up tickets for individual events or a great value Festival Ticket from Wrexham Library or at wrexham.gov.uk/carnival.
Click here for part two of the Carnival round-up.
Finally, for more cultural articles, click here.
