Thanks to our funders, supporters, Friends and the Festival Board, Newark Book Festival will be going ahead in 2020 although with a big twist! The Festival will be re-created and split into five chapters that will take place between 10th July to 27th February 2021. The programme will continue to celebrate anniversaries and milestones such as 100 years of Agatha Christie. Chapter One will take place from 10th-12th July and will feature a virtual online Festival of our main author events, headliners, storytime and a workshop, in addition to hopefully hosting an in person small writing for wellbeing workshop with the Festival’s 2020 Writer in Residence Leanne Moden. Highlights include a panel discussing Bronte 200, historical fiction, gothic fiction and the fabulous author of The Burning Chambers Kate Mosse.

CANCELLED: We hope to rearrange this event for Summer 2021

The Board of the Southwell Music Festival has cancelled this year’s Festival, in the light of the evolving situation caused by the Covid-19 virus. Festival Chairman, Geoffrey Bond said: “This is a decision taken with the greatest regret though in these extraordinary and gravely uncertain times we are sure it will come as no surprise and will be well understood. At the same time I am confident that when the Festival returns in 2021 it will do so renewed and reinvigorated. I’d like to record the Board’s immense appreciation of all the work done so far to prepare for this year’s Festival which will be carried forward to prepare for the Festival’s return next year. Inevitably some expenses have already been incurred in preparing for the Festival and we would be most grateful for the public’s support to ensure that we keep the Festival on an even financial keel. Visit southwellmusicfestival.com/Fund2020 to view a video message from our Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth where you can also make a donation.”