By Lucy Neill | August 6, 2025
Foreword Festival, the UK’s first Fringe Literature Festival, is returning to Suffolk this August with a whole host of events for all ages at Stowmarket Library.
Founded by two Suffolk-based artists Jackie Carreira and Rachel Churcher, Foreword Festival UK is all about reading, writing, and the power of books to inspire creativity and change lives. First launched in October 2023, Foreword Festival has since hosted author talks, creative workshops and other live events with writers and publishers from Suffolk and beyond.
This year, the festival is bringing even more events to Stowmarket Library, for adults, children and teens alike.
Jackie Carreira is co-founder of Foreword Festival, she said:
“We’re passionate about sharing the richness and diversity that exists through words and literature. We believe in the power of books to inspire creativity and change lives and are delighted to be holding some of our events at Stowmarket Library.”
Victoria Donohoe, Stowmarket Library Manager, said:
“We hold many successful community events at the library for people of all ages and are delighted to be getting involved in the Foreword Festival this year.”
The full list of library events is as follows:
12 August: Writing Suffolk’s History with Dr Mike Walker
Please note that this event is now fully booked, but you can contact Stowmarket Library to register your interest if a ticket becomes available.
Dr Mike Walker read History at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, where he also took his PhD. In researching his book about the siege of Haughley Castle and the Battle of Fornham, he uncovered a story packed with dramatic incidents and populated with extraordinary people.
Ranulph de Broc, the man behind the murder of Thomas Becket; Robert ‘Whitehands’ the Earl of Leicester; Petronella, Leicester’s wife, an Amazon dressed in full armour; Hugh Bigod, the self-styled ‘Earl of East Anglia’; and the incorruptible body and vengeful spirit of Saint Edmund himself!
13 August: From Firefighter to Published Author with Russell Webb
For retired firefighter Russell Webb, it was the profound personal loss of his wife to breast cancer that led to his transformation into an author and mental health advocate. His transition from combating physical fires to confronting the emotional turmoil of grief reflects a significant shift in his life, from directly saving lives to learning to share his vulnerabilities to help others.
Drawing deeply from his own experiences, Russell penned Love Beyond Love, a memoir that is as much about love and loss as it is about resilience and recovery. His message is clear: no matter how insurmountable the challenges may seem, there is always hope and a way forward.
13 August: Poetry Playhouse with author Elisabeth Sherriff (suitable for ages 5-10)
Come along to Stowmarket Library for our Poetry Playhouse with author Elisabeth Sherriff! Suitable for children of any ability, aged 5 to 10, including those on the autism spectrum. Join Elisabeth to create your own wild and wonderful words, be it on your pet dog, doughnuts or your favourite dinosaur – you choose! Your imagination is the limit!
Elisabeth is a teaching assistant in a small Suffolk primary school, as well as an author and poet. She is passionate about supporting and inspiring children through her writing. Elisabeth’s book titles include Don’t Let the Peas Touch the Mash (for autistic children), Bits in the Jam (for children dealing with ARFID) and In My Daydreams (for bereaved children). All of Elisabeth’s books will be available to purchase on the day.
14 August: All Things Hedgehog with Lynda Brignall (suitable for ages 3-7)
Lynda Brignall is a retired nurse and midwife, who worked with the NHS for 42 years. She now volunteers for Suffolk Hedgehog Hospital and works with them in rescuing sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs. She’s also the author of two successful, children’s illustrated hedgehog story books, When I Go Out at Night e When I Come Out in the Day.
At this special session, Lynda will be informally talking about ‘all things hedgehog’ and she promises that it will be interesting, fun and that you won’t leave unless you’ve learnt
something new! For the younger age range (3 to 7 years old), she will be using some of the beautiful graphics from her second book to make the session more interactive
15 August: Make It Personal! Writing Workshop for Teens with Rachel Churcher
Give your creative writing a glow-up at this free writing workshop for teens and young adults aged 12-16! Join award-winning YA author Rachel Churcher to explore the power of person and tense in your writing, and learn to use these two simple tools to develop your stories and engage your readers.
Rachel Churcher is the author of the Battle Ground YA dystopian series, and the LGBTQ+ standalone YA novel, Angels, all available through Suffolk Community Libraries. She has worked for national and in-house magazines, and now works as a writer and editor, helping other authors to make their books the best that they can be. As part of the Foreword Festival team, she organised the 2024 YA Book Festival at Stowmarket Library, and she is passionate about bringing readers together with books and authors they will love!
More information can be found on the Foreword Festival website.
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