Bunkfest in the Bookshop!
We’re absolutely delighted to be hosting poetry sessions and workshops throughout the weekend as part of the BunkFest Fringe this year. Pop in to browse, enjoy a performance (or two) and chat books with their friendly team.
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All Bunkfest in the Bookshop events are free, but booking is essential because of the size of the shop!
Pop in or call us on 01491 834383 to book your ticket.
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Downland - Anna Dillon and Jonathan Davidson
Friday 29th August, 6-7pm
Downland is a book of paintings and poems by artist Anna Dillon and writer Jonathan Davidson. They have each known the Downs from Wiltshire up into Berkshire and Oxfordshire for most of their lives, and the book is a creative guidebook to the most popular stretch of the Ridgeway National
Trail, including where it passes through South Oxfordshire. This event will include short readings, a chance to enjoy projections of some of the
paintings in a larger format, and a conversation about what happens when poetry meets painting. Both Anna and Jonathan will be happy to sign
copies of Downland which will be on sale after the event.​​​
Boing!!
Saturday 30th August, 9am
Fancy a BUGFEST..at the BUNKFEST? Well, bug fans - tiny or otherwise - come on down for an utterly bugly, bouncy BOING! session at the WALLINGFORD BUGSHOP. Sorry. BOOKSHOP!
Expect music, riddles, rhymes, fun (oh yes..) and a chance to write and take away your very own bug poem. Minibeastly or what? For 3-333 year olds. 1 hourish...​​​
Poetry Open Mic - Saturday 30th August 1-2pm
Our open mic in the bookshop is back! Come along and listen to some brilliant local poets, including Fran Turner and Sara Sheridan, between 1 and 2pm in the bookshop.
If you’d like to perform, call us in advance to book your 10 minute slot.
Poetry Workshop with Vanessa Lampert
Sunday 31st August, 2pm
Vanessa Lampert is an acupuncturist, writer and editor from Oxfordshire. Her pamphlet On Long Loan was published by Live Canon in 2020, and her collection of poems Say It With Me was published by Seren Books in 2023. She has also edited Candlestick Press’s Tem. She holds an MA in Writing Poetry from Poetry School London and Newcastle University. Since 2019 she has won the Café Writers prize, the Edward Thomas prize, the Sentinel prize and the Ver Poetry prize twice, and placed in many others including second in the Fish, Yeovil, Oxford Brookes, Ware, and Kent & Sussex prizes. She was commended in the National Poetry Competition 2020 and listed in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
If you’ve ever fancied writing poetry but haven’t a clue how to start, or if you’re a seasoned poet wanting to hone your skills, why not book a free place at Vanessa’s workshop to craft your ideas and meet like-minded friends. There will also be some short readings from Say It With Me, which will be available to purchase after the workshop and which Vanessa will happily sign.