Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK
9th-16th August 2025

Foreword Festival 2025 – Programme

We’re working hard to bring you a fantastic programme of fringe literary events in August! Keep checking this page – we’ll be adding more events and venues as they are confirmed.


Programme

Saturday 9th August

Love Your Local Authors Book Fair, 11am-4pm
Discover your new favourite author, and pick up signed copies of their books at this literary feast, celebrating East Anglian authors and small presses. 
St Peter’s Hall, Stowmarket, IP14 1ET
FREE entry!


Pop-up storytelling for grown-ups, Noon-2.15pm
Various venues – drop in or follow the actors around Stowmarket!
Submit a story
FREE!

Writing and Publishing workshops with Softwood Books
St Peter’s Hall, Stowmarket, IP14 1ET
Tickets available soon

Art display at Fox Yard Studio
Old Fox Yard, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AB

Sunday 10th August

Romance author panel and book signing, 12.30pm (doors open at noon)
Don’t miss best-selling authors Heidi Swain, Clare Marchant, Jenni Keer and Rachel Hore in conversation about life, love and their literary journeys!
The Regal Cinema, Stowmarket, IP14 1AY
Tickets available NOW from the Regal Cinema

Celebrity author talk and book signing: Larry Lamb and Camilla Barnes, 3pm
Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb in conversation with Camilla Barnes
The Regal Cinema, Stowmarket, IP14 1AY
Tickets available NOW from the Regal Cinema

Art display at Fox Yard Studio
Old Fox Yard, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AB

Monday 11th August

Art display at Fox Yard Studio
Old Fox Yard, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AB

Tuesday 12th August

Author talk and book signing – Dr Mike Walker, 5.30pm for a 5.45pm start
Join Dr Mike Walker to discover how an historian works, using a case study that brings to life the little-known but crucial local events of 1173.
Stowmarket Library, IP14 1EX
Book FREE tickets

Art display at Fox Yard Studio
Old Fox Yard, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AB

Wednesday 13th August

Author talk and book signing – Russell Webb, 1pm
Join Russell Webb for his lunchtime talk, From Firefighter to Published Author: an inspiring personal story of writing, healing, and mental health.
Stowmarket Library, IP14 1EX
FREE tickets available soon

Children’s event – Poetry Playhouse with Elisabeth Sherriff, 3pm
Poetry workshop suitable for children of any ability aged 5-10, including those on the autism spectrum.
Stowmarket Library, IP14 1EX
FREE entry!


Art display at Fox Yard Studio
Old Fox Yard, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AB

Thursday 14th August

Children’s event All Things Hedgehog with Lynda Brignall, 3pm
Join Lynda Brignall, author of two beautiful books about hedgehogs, to learn about all things hedgehog! Suitable for 3 years and up – all ages welcome.
Stowmarket Library, IP14 1EX
FREE entry!


Author talk and book signing – Jackie Carreira, 6.30pm
Award-winning author and playwright Jackie Carreira introduces her new novel, Notebook Number Nine – the first novel to be set in Stowmarket for more than 120 years!
John Peel Centre Café, Stowmarket, IP14 1ET
FREE entry – donations welcome

Art display at Fox Yard Studio
Old Fox Yard, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AB

Friday 15th August

Writing workshop for teenagers/Young Adults (ages 12-16), 2pm
Give your creative writing a glow-up at this free writing workshop for teens and young adults aged 12-16, with award-winning YA author Rachel Churcher!
Stowmarket Library, IP14 1EX
Book FREE tickets

Performance Poetry Night, 7pm
Don’t miss a feast of performance poetry at this very special event! Featuring award-winning poet and Battle Rapper Mark Grist, plus James Domestic, Amy Wragg, Sam Marsh and Lorna Mackinnon, all MC’d by AJ Deane.
John Peel Centre, Stowmarket, IP14 1ET
Buy Tickets

Art display at Fox Yard Studio
Old Fox Yard, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AB

Saturday 16th August

Fringe Book Fair, 11am-4pm
Meet a colourful and diverse host of amazing authors and small presses from around the country, and discover books and stories from the fringe …
John Peel Centre, Stowmarket, IP14 1ET
FREE entry!


YA and children’s bookstall, 9am-4pm
Discover books for children and teenagers and meet the authors at the free Family-Friendly Market in Stowmarket! 
Stowmarket Family-Friendly Market, Market Place, IP14 1ET
FREE!

Art display at Fox Yard Studio
Old Fox Yard, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AB

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