The aims of Alton Word Fest

• Encourage a life-long love of reading & sharing of much-loved books
• Encourage creativity and a deeper understanding of language
• Encourage children’s interest in the written and spoken word
• Provide opportunities for people to write & share their work with others
• Work with published authors, poets and playwrights

The Background

Alton Word Fest started in 2008 with two events and in 2011 grew to a week of 11 events. The Word Fest is managed by a group of people representing the organisations who are running the events.  Alton Chamber Enterprises Ltd. (the trading arm of Alton Chamber of Commerce & Industry) produces the overall promotional material, including banners, posters, this website and a printed programme.

Reading, writing, speaking, theatre and the arts are all important to our culture and the future of our children.  We are fortunate to have the local connection with Jane Austen, celebrated separately with our established “Jane Austen Regency Week” (www.janeaustenalton.co.uk), not to mention Gilbert White.  There are also many other authors living in the area who we try to involve.  All in all, we are trying to get people interested in language, learning more about those who use it and to encourage people to make more of it.  In turn, this helps improve the literacy of children and adults, encourages free-thinking, creativity, expression and helps people in their careers.

Whilst the events are largely aimed at people in the locality, the hope is to build Alton Word Fest up each year, as we try to do with all of Alton’s events, to encourage more visitors to spend their money in the area. This all helps to bolster the local economy and help improve the well-being and prospects of people who live and work in the area.