New Event in March 2020
Will Theakston
One Boat, Five Guys, 3,000 Miles
More people have been to space than have rowed across the Atlantic
In mid-December 2018 Will and four friends completed the challenge of their lives. Rowing non-stop across the Atlantic from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua. Boats were completely self-supported, the punishing routine allowing for 2 hours on and 2 hours off.
Eat, row, sleep, repeat until the finish line.
Will will be sharing his experience with us on Friday 20th March 2020 at St Michael’s Church, the talk starts at 7pm doors open at 6.15pm
There are many advantages to becoming a ‘Friend’ of the Mere Literary Festival (see below) it’s easy to do, and if you join now your membership will run until March 2021.
Tickets can be bought on-line or at Mere library, £12.00 per person or £6.00 for Friends of Mere Literary Festival. Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk to buy tickets, there is a password for ‘Friends’ tickets.
(Become a Friend of the Festival for 2020 and save on your ticket)
Become a Festival Friend
The annual cost is £12.00 per adult or £20.00 per couple living at the same address.
Join the FriendsBecoming a Friend of the Festival will provide much needed support to the organisers which will help to attract writers and promote the festival. Benefits include:
- Advance delivery to your door of the festival programme.
- Advance priority booking of tickets, up to one week ahead and a maximum of 2 tickets per person. Unlimited events.
- Priority seating where applicable.
- Invitation to attend the annual Friend’s Party.
- Occasionally Literary Events are held throughout the year which are open only to ‘Friends’ and their guests, unlimited numbers.
- The opportunity to become involved with the Mere Literary Festival.
Raising funds for the Link Scheme
The 2019 Festival has donated in excess of £4,000 to the M&DLS with reserves to reinvest in the 2020 Mere Literary Festival.
The Mere Literary Festival is the fundraising arm of the Mere & District Link Scheme (Registered Charity No. 1062328) which is a local voluntary group based in Mere.
This scheme provides transport at times of need for hospital appointments, which are not covered by the local ambulance or Medicar services, as well as helping people with shopping and other visits to enhance an individual’s quality of life.
Read MoreOur sponsors
Visit Hillbrush
Visit Hillbrush is a unique visitor centre where you can come to browse and purchase products in our homeware shop, enjoy the locally sourced food in our spacious and airy restaurant, grab a coffee from our master baristas and even learn about the history of brush-making and Hillbrush everywhere you turn in our exciting, first-of-its-kind brush-making museum. We are the perfect venue for families looking for activities in Wiltshire, or travellers looking for a comfortable, friendly stop. visit.hillbrush.com
Compton Smith Interiors
Suppliers of well-known specialist Paints, Wallpapers and Fabrics. (Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Colefax & Fowler, Zoffany, Kate Forman and many more brands) Full interior design service. Making up of Curtains and Blinds, Loose Covers and Re-upholstery. Interior Decorating Consultancy. www.comptonsmith.co.uk
Authors & Books from 2019
Participating authors in 2019 included Catherine Bailey, Paul Hooley, Ruth Wilson, Julie Becket, Harriet Sandys, Keith Stuart, Nick Perry, Josie Goodbody, Clare Empson and Adrian Dangar.
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Helping at Mere Literary Festival
Thank you to all our volunteers that help to keep our festival running smoothly. If you’re interested in volunteering for the 2020 festival, follow the link below for more information about what help we need and how you can get involved.
Read MoreThank you to our advertisers
Compton Smith, Farnfields, Body Talk, The Spread Eagle, Clarkes Auctioneers, Hill Brush Company, HJ Chalke, Squeaky Clean, Howell Landscaping, Hayley’s Hair Design, Sprout & Flower, Mere Osteopathy. The Mere Literary Festival also wishes to thank, Mere Lecture Hall Grant Committee, IT Ambulance, Stable Design Taunton, Charlie Allfrey, Eamon Ross, Lesley Traves, Steve Hawkins.