The Romance Writing Festival, Bournemouth

 With details of a FREE Friday night social:

Plus, some speakers to whet your appetite!

Friday Night Social - FREE! On the eve of the Romance Writing Festival - on Friday 2nd October - we are hosting a free networking social for you to meet other attendees and writers at the Marsham Court Hotel. Think of it as a warm up where you can chat about writing with writers, make some friends and have someone to hang out with during the festival the next day. So if you are planning to come along on the Friday, then make sure you come along to our free and informal social gathering. Member of the Festival team will be on hand to help you mingle if you are a bit shy and to get the conversations flowing. Special Hotel Offer Stay at the hotel venue for just £99 per room per night for 2 people for bed and breakfast based on a standard double/twin room.​ Use the code BWF26 at the checkout. A Selection of Speakers Appearing on 3rd October! We've already announced that Katie Fforde will be in conversation with BBC South's Edward Sault as part of the main programme.  Here are a few more speakers confirmed.... more to come! Sue Moorcroft Bestselling, multi-award-winning author and president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association Sharon Kendrick Author of over 120 books published by Mills & Boons. Alex Thompson Managing Director of Troubador Publishing and The Book Guild. Lola Jaye Author and writer of historical novels which feature characters tackling race, mental health and….life Can't wait till October? The Bournemouth Writing Festival in April has released it's full programme - with over 100 free and ticketed writing event and activities all designed to inspire writers of all genres to write. Whether you are a complete beginner or ready to get your words out into the world, the community-driven Bournemouth Writing Festival is for everyone. Amongst the talks, walks, panels, workshops, networking, masterclasses and literary agents, we also have free activities for children and disadvantaged areas of our community. This year, there are free workshops for People with Dementia, Young Cares, Adults with Additional Needs and the homeless or those in financial difficulties. There are also free activities such as Writing on the Beach, our new Poetry Marquee and our Writers' Hive - showcasing local and independent authors - plus funky and inspiring evening events. Remember, all profits from the Romance Writing Festival go towards the community activities we put on. Check out the full programme for the festival which takes place 24-26 April 2026 on the Bournemouth Writing Festival website. Romance Writing Festival Bournemouth. The Romance Writing Festival is brought to you by the Bournemouth Writing Festival. Proceeds go towards supporting writers from all areas of our community by providing free workshops and activities.

Seven Artspace, Leeds

 With details of what's on this week:

Feel The Love @ Seven Tonight, Thursday 5th February, 6-8pm, Jonny Flockton on guitar, plays a mix of music across a range of genres in a solo setting. Best known for his work with Leeds based legend Mik Artistik, and acoustic roots band Colour Of Light, Jonny Flockton has carved a path on the guitar as an individual voice. Enjoy a wine or beer with some delightful background music. Seven Bar. Pay What You Feel. On Saturday 7th February 4-6pm, Winter Warmers – Mestisa. This fine Latin-American folk band continually thrill audiences with their traditional and yet modern take on authentic music-making, performing music from Latin America. Seven Bar. Pay What You Feel. Organised by MEWL Music. Also on Saturday 7th February, 7.30pm, expect silliness, satire and self-deprecation from crowd-pleaser Clare Summerskill – Why God Created Lesbians as she hits the road with her funniest show yet. A packed comedy show from ‘one of the funniest women in the country’ (What’s On) with a keen fanbase across the UK (gay and straight!). Seven Venue. £15 /£12 conc. JazzLeeds – Alexia Gardner Quintet, British Jamaican songstress is joined by some of the North’s most talented musicians on Sunday 8th February 1.30-4pm. She leads a dynamic and swinging quintet and has ‘hit the ground running’ – Bebop Spoken Here. Seven Venue. £12 /£10.   Also on Sunday 8th February, the Seven Quiz. This and every Sunday, test your knowledge in a relaxed atmosphere – a great way to unwind with friends and family. Seven Bar. £5 per team. With prizes. Next week, it's 'feel the love' time as we approach Valentines Day. Look out for American romantic comedy-drama Screen Seven – Anora when a 23-year-old stripper, living in Brooklyn, meets and marries son of the Russian oligarch, much to the consternation of his parents. Seven Venue £8. And later in the week on Saturday 14th February, 7.30pm, don't miss Glastonbury favourite, Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip. This is an edgy, funny, poetic unit who play rock and roll stand up as Mik tumbles around the stage, whilst the elegant engine room of Jonny Flockton and Gregg hold down the melodies. Seven Venue. £19 adv / £22 otd. Where the event is ticketed, tickets are available at TicketSource via www.sevenleeds.co.uk  We  look forward to seeing you at Seven very soon. Every £ spent at Seven helps support high quality arts in a local setting.

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Creative Kirklees News newsletter

 With details of creative events, opportunities and more:

News What's On Creative Directory Opportunities Visit Us Resources

Creative Kirklees Latest Events, News and Opportunities Wednesday, February 4th February is bursting with creativity across Kirklees, with a packed programme of Half Term events for all ages. Families can enjoy hands‑on printmaking, big adventures at Whistlestop Valley, family craft sessions at Kirklees Libraries, while budding creatives explore short courses in photography, ceramics, creative writing and more. Local venues are opening their doors with special activities to learn new skills, meet artists and get inspired this winter. Adding to the excitement, the much‑loved Mrs Sunderland Festival and the cutting‑edge Electric Spring Festival bring vibrant music, performances, and experimental sound to the district, offering even more ways to get involved. MakerWorld also continues to inspire the community, recently featured in a documentary screening celebrating its creative impact, providing a fantastic hub for young people and families to explore playful, imaginative activities. Off Script: Youth Power Week at MakerWorld Huddersfield There’s also a fantastic opportunity for creative professionals, with a freelance event role connected to Yorkshire Day 2026 now open for expressions of interest. Get involved and explore even more creative happenings across the region this February. www.creativekirklees.com and www.musicinkirklees.co.uk

Featured events Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat  Wed, 4.2.2026 19:15 - 21:10 | +4   Join Kirklees Youth Theatre ensemble for a technicolour treat as they bring Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved musical to life!  Read more Huddersfield Head of Steam  Wed, 4.2.2026 20:00 - 22:00  Wednesday Evening Jazz  Read more Dewsbury Elim Community Cinema - The Bad Guys 2  Sat, 7.2.2026 10:00 - 12:00  If you’re looking for something inexpensive to do as a family together, Dewsbury Elim Community Cinema has its next FREE screening on Saturday 7th Feb ...  Read more Exhibition: Impressions From Nature by Stuart Brocklehurst  Tue, 27.1.2026 08:30 - Thu, 5.3.2026 16:30  Explore a compelling new body of work by Stuart Brocklehurst, featuring mezzotints, wood engravings and linocut prints presented across a range of for ...  Read more Seasons of Sound - Feathers, Beasts and Fairy Tales  Sun, 8.2.2026 15:00 - 17:00  Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra Season 2025-26 "Seasons of Sound" - Feathers, Beasts and Fairy Tales From noble steeds to cheeky chickens and enc ...  Read more Lunchtime Organ Concert: Gordon Stewart  Mon, 9.2.2026 13:00 - 14:00  Organist Emeritus Gordon Stewart makes his annual visit back to Huddersfield. His programme includes music from local composer Robert Cockroft’s – the ...  Read more Sew Queer Stitch Social  Tue, 10.2.2026 18:00 - 20:00 | +1   A monthly stitch social for LGBTQIA+ folks in Huddersfield - bring your own project and craft with us!  Read more Do Androids Dream of Subtlety and Nuance?: The role of human-machine collaboration in same-language  Thu, 12.2.2026 14:00 - 15:15  Join Dr Emma Andrews on Thursday 12 February at 2pm for her FREE online talk, Do Androids Dream of Subtlety and Nuance?  Read more Mrs S Festival: Tiny Strings Big Voices  Thu, 12.2.2026 19:00 - 20:00  Culmination of the key stage 2 workshop day £5 with concessions plus booking fee  Read more February Half Term  Sat, 14.2.2026 00:00 - Sun, 22.2.2026 00:00  Get hands-on with history this February Half Term with an action packed week of events and activities!  Read more Wild Wednesday in Winter at Oakwell Hall  Wed, 18.2.2026 10:00 - 12:00 | +1   Join us for hands-on outdoor fun and discovery!  Read more Electric Spring Festival  Wed, 18.2.2026 12:00 - Sat, 21.2.2026 23:00  An annual festival of cutting-edge electronic music over 4 days and nights with programme of concerts, installations, workshops and symposia.  Read more Kirklees Most Wanted Showcase - Dewsbury  Fri, 20.2.2026 07:00 - 23:00  Kirklees Most Wanted Brings Diverse, Award-Winning Talent to The Terrace, Dewsbury  Read more Young Company Taster 6-8 year olds  Fri, 20.2.2026 11:00 - 12:00  The taster session will be a fun hour-long introduction to what being a part of our Young Company is like.  Read more Sonar Sessions - Al's Django Party  Sun, 22.2.2026 18:30 - 22:00  Sonar Sessions is a monthly Sunday evening event, showcasing artists in the genres of world, jazz, soul, acoustic & folk. Each Sonar Session will ...  Read more Hejira – Celebrating Joni Mitchell  Sun, 29.3.2026 19:30 - 22:00  Hejira Watch Hejira here https://youtu.be/MhAs1YpaS1w Watch video here https://youtu.be/DURr8Mr-POU?si=6sXQItT-8hQmaK5F ‘Hejira’ is an outstanding ...  Read more View more by clicking   Go to search

Workshops and Courses Off Script: Youth Power Week at MakerWorld Huddersfield  Mon, 16.2.2026 11:00 - Fri, 20.2.2026 16:00  MakerWorld, an initiative from The Children’s Art Gallery, is offering courses for young creatives this February half term, with a week of hands-on wo ...  Read more Drawing & Painting Landscapes w. Annie Roche  Tue, 17.2.2026 10:00 - 16:00  A fantastic full day workshop with artist and tutor Annie  Read more Knitting & Crochet Guild Huddersfield Branch Meeting - February  Thu, 19.2.2026 19:30 - 21:30  Workshop on Yorkshire Buttons  Read more Monoprinting in Winter Landscapes: Pippa Ashworth  Sat, 21.2.2026 10:00 - 16:00  This hands-on workshop is for those who love both painting and printmaking  Read more Creative Skills Bootcamp for Professionals  Mon, 23.2.2026 09:30 - Fri, 6.3.2026 17:00  This course will be made up of a range of talks and workshops from industry professionals and concludes with a guaranteed interview for live creative ...  Read more Needle Felted Teacup Cupcake Workshop  Fri, 27.2.2026 11:00 - 13:00  Create a your own needle felted Teacup Cupcake. All materials, and equipment is provided, (including teacup, unless you have one you wish to bring) ...  Read more View more by clicking   Go to search

Opportunities to watch out for Art by Woman - Open Call for Exhibition: Open Gallery, Halifax Deadline 9 February Open Gallery is inviting submissions of original artworks for a vibrant spring exhibition, ‘Art by Women’, in March 2026.  Read more Freelance Event Professional Wanted – Yorkshire Day 2026 Kirklees Council are looking to appoint an experienced Freelance Event Professional to lead on the delivery of this year’s event. Please contact event ...  Read more Open call for Exhibitions at the Fronteer Gallery, Sheffield The Fronteer Gallery in Sheffield are looking for artwork by artists from across the UK to be part of a number of exhibitions they have planned.  Read more Events Co-ordinator: Events Team, Kirklees Council Deadline 22 February The Events Coordinator will support the Events Team in planning, coordinating, and delivering high-quality events in the public realm events square in ...  Read more Power Up 2026 - PRS Music Foundation / Deadline 9 March The Power Up initiative brings together music industry partners across all sectors to accelerate change and remove barriers for Black music creators a ...  Read more Growing Great Places Funding Growing Great Places is a crowdfunding programme run in partnership between Kirklees Council and crowdfunding platform Spacehive  Read more View more by clicking   Go to search

Latest news New 2026 Fused and Stained Glass Workshops with Louise Watson Join Royal College of Art trained glass artist Louise, at her Canal Side studio, Upper Mills, Slaithwaite  Read more February Half Term at Kirklees Museums and Galleries Check out what's on at our Museums this Half Term!  Read more Safe and Protect Kirklees (Martyn's Law) E-Bulletin (Issue 12) Link to the 12th Edition of the Martyn’s Law Safe and Protect E-Bulletin - Preparation for Martyn’s Law (The Terrorism Act 2025)  Read more Kirklees celebrates National Year of Reading 2026 with ambitious programme for all ages Kirklees are proud to support the National Year of Reading 2026, a UK wide campaign designed to inspire a love of reading, improve literacy and highli ...  Read more Dewsbury Library is moving to a new town centre home The library hub is relocating from its current location on Railway Street to the Walsh Building, right next to the Town Hall.  Read more Huddersfield Literature Festival celebrates 20th anniversary Huddersfield Literature Festival celebrates 20th anniversary with Arts Council backing and landmark 2026 programme  Read more View more by clicking   Go to search

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