Friday, 25 September 2026

Romance Writing Festival, Bournemouth

Coming up fast:



Remember, if you are booking an agent 121 or applying to have your words critiqued in the Slay the Slush Pile session, you need to submit your words well before the festival - to give enough time to read and digest before the big day.

Free Activities during the Festival

There is so much going on at the Romance Writing Festival, you'll have trouble choosing what to do!

We want you to meet and network with as many of your writing peers as possible. It fosters connection, it allows you to learn from others as well as discussing some of the challenges you face. Sometimes, it feels like a therapy session! 

We know that writing is a lonely business, so knowing there are like-minded people cheerleading you from beyond your laptop is a huge motivator.

So, we put on networking activities to help you to meet others. 

  • Friday Night Social. 
    • Join us in the hotel bar on the eve of the festival. It's free to attend and we will be milling about in the bar. Meet new people to join the next day. 
    • There is a paid bar. Please RSVP once you've bought your festival ticket as we need to cap the numbers so the hotel isn't overwhelmed!
  • Lunch. 
    • A Ploughman's lunch is included in the ticket price, so grab a bite to eat and chat over ham, brie and pickle. The menu is on the website.
  • Literary Walk of Bournemouth. 
    • Bournemouth is rich in literary heritage, with Mary Shelley, JRR Tolkien, Robert Louis Stevenson and Bram Stoker among the famous names associated with the town. In the lunchtime break, historian Hattie Miles will lead two 30-minute groups, regaling stories and showing you relevant locations. 
    •  Once you've bought your festival ticket, you must RSVP as numbers are limited.
  • Beach Walk.
    • Get some fresh air and put sand between your toes on a jaunt down to the beach and back in a 30-minute walk to clear your mind and chat to others.
  • Troubador Publishing
    • If you are ready to publish, then have a chat with the team from Troubador Publishing / The Book Guild on your hybrid / self-publishing options.  They will be located in the hub area in the bar.
  • Build Your Author Brand
    • PR and brand building expert Isabelle Knight will be in the hub area in the bar where you can talk to her about book marketing and strategies to get your name out there. 
    • You can email Isabelle to book in a timeslot too.

£5 bookshop voucher

Every ticket holder gets a £5 voucher to spend at the festival bookshop - run by The Mysterious Bookcase. Books from our speakers will be on sale, with opportunities for signing.

Any questions?

If you have any questions regarding the Romance Writing Festival, then please do not hesitate to ask. The team will aim to respond quickly for any queries you may have. Just 'reply' to this email.

Call For Speakers

Our sister writing festival - The Bournemouth Writing Festival - has announced their call for speakers. They are looking for writing professionals, authors and writers to share their experiences, wisdoms and advice to writers of all genres, levels and backgrounds.

If you'd like to pitch an idea, then read the guidelines and submit through their website.

Special Hotel Offer

Stay at the hotel venue - the Marsham Court Hotel - 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.

With thanks to our sponsors


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.



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Thursday, 24 September 2026

Leeds International Concert Season - Best of Brass

Coming up in October:

Leeds International Concert Season logo
Leeds Best of Brass 2026/27

Hi 

Not long until the Leeds Best of Brass series returns to Pudsey Civic Hall - featuring iconic names with a global reputation to brilliant Yorkshire favourites, the series brings together some of the very best brass players in the country for eight Saturday night concerts. Whether you’re a lifelong brass lover or new to the brass band world, there’s no better way to hear a brass band live at this level.

Pudsey Civic Hall provides a welcoming home for the series. With excellent transport links, free parking, and a well‑stocked bar, it’s the perfect setting to enjoy world‑class brass music.

Get more music for your money - book four or more Leeds Best of Brass concerts in the same transaction to save 10%! 

See you at a concert soon, 
Leeds International Concert Season

Explore the 2026/27 season

Members of the Yorkshire Imperial Band in black and red concert dress sat in formation in a concert hall with their brass instruments.

Yorkshire Imperial Band

Known affectionately as ‘The Imps’, the Yorkshire Imperial Band marks its 90th year with a return to the Leeds Best of Brass series.

Sat 17 October, 7.30pm

Members of the Hepworth Band in blue and black concert dress stood on the steps outside the Royal Albert Hall with their instruments.

Hepworth Band

One of the oldest brass bands in the country, Hepworth Band was crowned 2026 Yorkshire Champion and is representing Yorkshire at the finals of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in October. 

Sat 28 November, 7.30pm

Members of the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band in black concert dress stood on the steps outside the Royal Albert Hall with their instruments.

Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band

With a history spanning over 140 years, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band has built a reputation as a fine concert band through a combination of innovative programmes partnered with quality of performance.

Sat 19 December, 7.30pm

Members of the Flowers Band in black concert dress mid-performance.

Flowers Band

The 2026 European Brass Band Champion brings a brilliantly brassy and highly entertaining evening to the Leeds Best of Brass series.

Sat 16 January 2027, 7.30pm

Members of the Black Dyke Band in black and red concert dress in formation with their brass instruments in front of the organ at Huddersfield Town Hall.

Black Dyke Band

The most recorded brass band in the world, Black Dyke Band created history at the Yorkshire Regional Championships in 2025, being the first band ever to win the championship for five consecutive years.

Sat 13 February 2027, 7.30pm

Members of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band in black concert dress sat in formation with their brass instruments in a church.

Grimethorpe Colliery Band

One of Britain's finest brass bands, Grimethorpe Colliery Band achieved its worldwide reputation from the hit film Brassed Off. In 2024, the band played alongside Coldplay as part of the British rock band’s headline set at Glastonbury Festival.

Sat 13 March 2027, 7.30pm

Members of the Rothwell Temperance Band in black concert dress mid-performance.

Rothwell Temperance Band

The highest ranked brass band from Leeds, Rothwell Temperance Band has remained a Championship Section band for over 25 years and has enjoyed a consistent presence among the top 20 brass bands in the world.

Sat 10 April 2027, 7.30pm

Members of the Brighouse & Rastrick Band in purple concert dress stood and sat in rows with their instruments.

Brighouse & Rastrick Band

The world-class 'public subscription band', Brighouse & Rastrick Band, most known for its 1977 hit parade success The Floral Dance which reached No 2 in the UK charts, closes the Leeds Best of Brass series.

Sat 8 May 2027, 7.30pm

Love to hear more brass?

Members of the Brighouse & Rastrick Band

Summer proms concert

Brighouse & Rastrick Band comes to the iconic setting of Pudsey St Lawrence Tofts Road cricket ground this summer! From traditional marches and brass classics to modern showpieces and proms favourites, this summer proms concert promises something for everyone.

Sun 30 August, 3pm
Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club

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Leeds International Concert Season is part of Leeds Ticket Hub, the city's cultural ticket office: Leeds Ticket Hub, Carriageworks Theatre, The Electric Press, 3 Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 3AD.

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