WORD Market, the region's first literature festival, gets under way next week across Ulverston and Broughton with wordsmiths of all types showcasing their talents and giving a helping hand with a readers and writers' day, children's workshops, pub scripts, lunchtime lectures and writing surgeries.

Acclaimed Wordsworth Trust poet Jack Mapanje takes guest spot during Poem and A Pint next Saturday (February 22) at 7.30pm) in the Kings Arms as well as running an open masterclass at the Ulverston pub the following Monday(February 24, 7.30pm).

Also on the festival bill is broadcaster, comedian and poet-in-residence at Barnsley FC Ian McMillan, who will be on the ball at the Coronation Hall on Tuesday, February 25(7.30pm) with his Big Family Show.

Ian hosts The Verb on Radio Three and is a regular guest on Front Row, A Room with a Clue, Sky Sports, and Five Live.

Word opens on Monday when novelist Sandra Glover runs two workshops at Owl Barn, Ulverston, for adults (7.30pm) and youngsters (10am).

On February 18/19 poetry and prose writer Gerald Benson, and poet and editor Mark Miller, also run workshops at Owl Barn and Broughton's Victory Hall respectively.

The sparkling humour of stand-up comic and performance poet Ann Wilson features alongside the poetry of Geraldine Green and Mark Miller at the Victory Hall, Broughton, next Wednesday (7.30pm).

And an opportunity see five-minute plays written by locals but performed by professional actors beckons via Pub Scripts - staged at a host of hostelries across both towns(details on 01229-585107).

For those who miss out on the impromtu pub performances, all scripts will be showcased in a special night at the Kings Arms on March 1 (7.30pm).

On the film front, Ulverston's Roxy Cinema gets in on the act on Thursday, February 27 (7pm) screening The Conformist, plus a seminar and any questions' session covering The Novel of the Book, featuring Italian cinema specialist Dr William Hope as guest speaker.

Tied in to Word Market, Welfare State International hosts Let Your Left Hand Sing on Friday, February 28 (7.30pm), written and performed by Kevin Fegan.

A former Coronation Street storyliner, poet and writer of more than 40 plays for stage and radio, Kevin's epic 50-minute poem was commissioned as part of the Commonwealth Games Spirit of Friendship Festival events.

And among the variety of word-related events, popular South Lakeland poet Maggie Norton dons rambling gear and waxes lyrical on a low level, five-mile walk led by Jean Povey (details on 01229-585588) plus Ford Park Community Centre hosts a day for everyone who loves books and reading' on Saturday, February 22. One hundred book lovers are expected to join Booker short-listed (1998) Magnus Mills and others for author events, panel discussions and book fairs, with eminent members of the region's literary fraternity, such as the county council's literature officer Susan Tranter - a major player in developing Cumbria's reading and writing scene - in attendance.

Word Market a new literature development project - is funded by several of the region's councils and other organisations, including the Regional Arts Lottery Programme and Ulverston's Tinners Rabbit Bookshop.

So, exciting times for all, as WM project co-ordinator Linda Graham tells me: "The aim of the project is to establish a firm framework of literary activity through workshops, masterclasses, readings and events over the next two years and covers all genres of writing including screen-writing and song-writing, as well as drama, poetry and prose.

"All the local readers' and writers' groups have joined together to create a varied programme of workshops and events to appeal to as many people as possible. We've managed to attract some of the best writers around, as well as providing an opportunity for local authors to perform their work.

"We're also excited about the announcement of the first Poet Laureate for south Cumbria and the Word Market stall on Ulverston market will be well worth checking out.

"The great thing about Word Market, and the festival in particular, is that you don't have to be literary to join in: our aim is to make reading and writing as enjoyable and accessible as possible.

"In fact, you could attend every event in the festival and it would cost you from as little as £40 - not bad for more than 20 events!"

For further festival details contact Linda on 01229-468425.

February 13, 2003 10:30