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The
festival came about in 1997 after John Burns had the idea that a
poetry festival in Ledbury would be a good idea, and it is now one
of the best poetry festivals in the country.
Launching
the 2003 festival will be Carol Ann Duffy.
The
festival is the biggest and best in the country, 78 performers are
taking part over ten days and the event pulls in an audience of
1500.
The
festival's Poet in Residence is Jo Shapcott. Born in London in 1958,
she studied at Trinity College, Dublin, St Hilda's College, Oxford,
Harvard University and the University of Bristol.
Ledbury’s
poetic associations are many and various - WH Auden taught in Colwall
and was married in Ledbury.
Elizabeth
Barrett-Browning – who was born nearby and has a splendid memorial
building (now the library) in the town centre (opened by Rider Haggard).
And
Robert Frost who rented a cottage near Edward Thomas’s.
The
festival runs from Thursday 4th July - Sunday 13th July. So why
not go along and sample the unique atmosphere for yourself?
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