Wharfedale Observer

Booked for next year!

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 7th Jun 2002.

Organisers of the Bradford Book Festival have hailed the event a great success and are already looking for funding for next year's event.

The programme which featured best-selling authors Nick Hornby and Tony Parsons attracted more than 2,500 people.

Although it did not beat the 3,000-strong audience set last year, the team believe it was a better festival because it attracted the next generation of readers.

Tom Palmer, who organised the event, said the blend of big names and top local writers had ensured more younger people enjoyed the literature feast.

"Three quarters of events were really well attended and we had a better quality programme than last year.

"We have also managed to get younger people to come to the festival and those people have joined our mailing list for future events," he said.

Tom said his favourite event had been a performance by homegrown talent Yunis Alam who used the slot to launch his new book Kilo, set on the streets of Manningham.

Another highlight was when former Northern Ireland minister Mo Mowlam visited the Alhambra Theatre for a grilling on her new book by Telegraph & Argus writer Jim Greenhalf who donated his £125 fee to the Bradford Can... Cancer Research Campaign.

Kathy Cremin, project officer of the Reading the City scheme, which aims to encourage 16 to 30-year-olds in Bradford to read, said it proved there was interest from younger literature lovers.

"We want books, reading and words to be accessible to everyone, and for new audiences that means creating a relaxed atmosphere.

"We made a point of taking the festival to places that young people already go including the Love Apple, and we booked writers who combine music with spoken word. These performers regularly play to audiences of 200 plus in Manchester and with audiences of up to 70 we've proved there is an appetite for this in Bradford."

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