Porlock Vale

The Program details set out below are intended to give as accurate a guide as we can, at this early stage. Some changes may be necessary.

The final Program, timing and ticket prices will be confirmed by early June.

Tickets will be available from July.

Venue: Various around Porlock & Porlock Weir

Andrew Motion, celebrated author, biographer and, after 10 years in the post, outgoing Poet Laureate, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and Professor of Creative Writing at the University of London. Andrew will be joined by winners of the inaugural ‘Samuel Taylor Coleridge Memorial Poetry Prize’ who will read samples of their award winning work. Andrew will be talking about the influences on his work and the impact of his role as Poet Laureate. He will also read selected extracts from his latest book, ‘The Cinder Path’.

Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Large Hall - There will be a licensed bar available

A guided walk by local National Trust Countryside Manager. The route will take in some of the highlights of Porlock Vale and surrounds at a leaisurely pace

Time: 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Venue: Meet Porlock Visitor Centre.
Price: £3

We are delighted to welcome back the much acclaimed local choir ‘Urban Voice’. This is a talented mixed voice choir performing both acappella and accompanied. Their repertoire covers the spectrum from Folk, Medieval and Gospel to Opera and Musical Theatre. Their style appeals to all musical tastes and ages.

Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Large Hall - There will be a licensed bar available
Contact: Porlcok Visitor Centre (01643) 862150

This is a rare opportunity for anyone interested in writing fiction. Award-winning children’s author, Lee Weatherly, will run a writers’ workshop for the day. Lee’s experience encompasses all types of fiction and she has a keen insight into how to present manuscripts so they have the best chance with publishers. Lee has also written the book How to Write a Blockbuster. The day comprises two separate sessions.
10.00am - 12.30pm - What makes a good story? Plot and scene structure, characterisation and writing techniques.
1.30pm to 4.00pm - What catches an agent's eye? Explores how to submit your manuscript to an agent in a professional manner and advises on researching agents and preparing a submission letter, synopsis and sample chapters.

Time: 10.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m.
Venue: Small Hall

Local artists have opened their studios and showrooms to display their techniques, work, and collections, including silver jewellery, basket making, pottery, artist blacksmith, painting, textiles and felting, glass and glass blowing demonstrations. Many items will be for sale. Porlock Weir will also open its doors to ‘The Boat Shed’, a museum of boating memorabilia and Quay Cottage, a Vintage Toy Museum with a collection of Pelham Puppets.

Time: 11. a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Venue: Leaflet guide/map available at Porlock Visitor Centre. (01643) 863150
Price: Free
Contact: Porlock Visitor Centre. (01643) 863150

Enjoy a day of poetry reading at the end of the Coleridge Way. The event includes ‘Fire River Poets’, ‘Terrible Work’, ‘Minehead 4’, and ‘Exmoor Writers’. There is an open microphone and our guest poet is Sheila Murphy. Bring a picnic and drink. There are plenty of local eateries close by.

Time: 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Venue: Porlock Visitor Centre Garden
Contact: Porlcok Visitor Centre (01643) 862150

A guided walk by National Trust Countryside Manager. The route will tak in some of the highlights of Porlock Vale and surrounds

Time: 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Venue: Meet Porlock Visitor Centre
Price: £3

Stanley Johnson starts a packed evening with an entertaining review of his recently published autobiography Stanley I Presume. Stanley was brought up on Exmoor where he still manages the family farm and retains close links with this rural idyll. Stanley has been an explorer, occasional politician and also one of the world's first environmentalists, as well as being an experienced writer, award winning poet and sparkling raconteur

N.B. Food will be available to purchase between 6.00pm – 7.00pm

Time: 5.00 p.m.
Venue: Large Village Hall
Price: £5 Bar available
Contact: Porlcok Visitor Centre (01643) 862150

We are pleased to welcome back the internationally acclaimed biographer Michael Holroyd. Michael’s biographical work is extensive and includes volumes on Augustus John and Bernard Shaw. Michael will be talking about his latest book A Strange Eventful History which tells the story of the dramatic lives of Ellen Terry, Henry Irving and their remarkable families. He will be joined on stage by the well known author Margaret Drabble. Margaret will talk about her latest book A Pattern on the Carpet: A Personal History with Jigsaws. This deeply personal book; a mix of memoir, jigsaw history and the strange delights of puzzling, was well received by the literary press on publication.
Rachel Johnson is a freelance journalist and novelist. She started her career at the Financial Times, moved to the BBC, and subsequently launched her freelance career. She has written regular weekly articles for a number of national newspapers, most recently the Sunday Times. Her books include Notting Hell, Shire Hell and The Mummy Diaries: or how to lose your husband, children and dog in twelve months. The latter recounts the trials of running a life and family between Notting Hill and Exmoor.
Jane Jordan is another locally based author. Jane has travelled extensively, living in Germany and the USA, but she credits a stay on Exmoor, where she now lives, as instrumental in bringing together the story she was planning. Her book Ravens Deep is largely set on Exmoor and, although names have been changed, anyone reading it will recognise the village and the landmarks around which her dark and intriguing story is told.

Time: 7.00 p.m.
Venue: Large Village Hall - A licensed bar is availble
Price: £8
Contact: Porlock Visitor Centre (01643) 862150

See Friday 11th for Detail

Time: 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Venue: Leaflet guide/map available at Porlock Visitor Centre. (01643 863150)
Price: Free

See Friday 11th For Detail

Time: 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Venue: Leaflet guide/map available at Porlock Visitor Centre. (01643 863150)
Price: Free
Contact: Porlock Visitor Centre (01643) 862150

Porlock Pantomime & Drama Society invites you to join with a talented local cast and take your place in this unique Arts Festival event. There will be an opportunity for some members of the audience to take part in the rehearsal and live recording, either reading a part or working with sound effects. Or you may prefer to sit back, relax and enjoy the entertainment as this special afternoon interactive workshop peeks inside the world of Radio Drama.

A special guest speaker will hopefully be confirmed soon.

Bringing the festival to a close, the event will be rounded off with afternoon tea, during which Patron of the Porlock Arts Festival, Dame Margaret Drabble, will present the prizes to winners of the various competitions being run, in the lead up to, and during the festival weekend.

Time: 2.00 p.m.
Venue: Large Hall
Price: TBA
Contact: Porlock Visitor Centre (01643) 862.150