The Godolphin and Latymer Launches Arts Festival
Andrew Marr, William Boyd and Chris Patten among speakers
TV's Andrew Marr, writer William Boyd and politician Chris Patten are among the speakers appearing at The Godolphin and Latymer School's first ever Arts Festival, running from February 22 to 26.
The idea of the school’s Head of English, Julian Bell, the Festival is open to the public and incorporates workshops for local primary school children as well as attracting some of Britain’s most distinguished writers and thinkers.
The theme of Past, Present and Future links the key speakers during the weeklong event. Thinkers and writers will discuss what the past means to us, what impact it has on our present, and what sort of future we and our children can look forward to.
The festival's schedule is as follows:
February 22 - The Rt Hon The Lord
Patten of Barnes, CH PC.
What Next? Surviving the 21st
Century
The Bishop Centre at 7pm
February 23 - Catherine Webb.
Inspiring young readers;
inspiring young writers.
Workshop for local primary school children
Drama Studio - 4.15 – 5.15 pm
February 23 -
Anne Sebba in
conversation with
Francine Stock.
Women Behind the Throne
The Bishop Centre - 7pm
February 24 -
Andrew Marr,
The Making of Modern Britain
The Bishop Centre - 7pm
February 26 -
William Boyd.
London, Now
The Bishop Centre - 7pm
Festival speaker Andrew Marr says: "I am delighted to be part of this new initiative to bring fresh ideas, arguments and artistic connections to one of the most interesting of London schools; too often arts and books festivals seem to be for older people, when it is really younger adults and teenagers who need them most. It’s a great idea and I look forward to being part of it."
The Godolphin and Latymer School currently runs a highly successful Public Lecture Series, supported by parents, past parents, Friends, Old Dolphins (alumni of the school) and local residents.
The Arts Festival builds on these community links and has already drawn bookings from across London. Old Dolphin, Catherine Webb, who wrote her first novel aged 14 while at Godolphin, and who has been an inspiration for many of the school's pupils, returns to run a workshop for local primary school children.
The programme of events has involved a group of girls who have worked alongside Mr Bell and the Development Team in promoting the event, researching authors and gaining valuable experience in public speaking.
Tickets for the individual talks costs £10 each and each evening event will feature a drinks reception and book signing at 8pm. All profits from the festival will help fund bursaries at the school.
For more details and to purchase tickets for the festival, download the Arts Festival Leaflet.
February 3, 2010
