The 2021 Festival

Here we are in early January and very much hoping that the Mere Literary Festival will be able to take place later this year. We have a number of authors who have agreed to come to us in October; including Claire Fuller who will be speaking about her, latest book Unsettled Ground which was published in March and has been Longlisted for this year’s Womens Prize for Fiction. Stephen Fabes will also be joining us following the publication of his travel book ‘Signs of Life’, his tale of taking a break from medicine and spending six years travelling the world on a bicycle.

Become a Festival Friend

The annual cost is £12.00 per adult or £20.00 per couple living at the same address.

Join the Friends

Becoming 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.

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Our 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.

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Thank 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.