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Booktown 2017 - announcement of dates

Lloyd Jones to open Featherston Booktown, Friday 12 May 2017

Renowned New Zealand author, Lloyd Jones will be the guest speaker at what has become the iconic Featherston Booktown Fish & Chips Supper kicking-off next year’s event on Friday 12 May 2017.

This follows hot on the heels of the successful launch of the 2016 event by Richard Taylor in May.

Featherston Booktown Festival has settled on the second weekend in May for at least the next three years, during which time a smorgasbord of bookish events will be offered.

After two successful Booktown festivals in 2015 and 2016, Featherston has been offered official recognition as a Full Member of the International Organisation of Booktowns.

Booktown Operations Director Kate Mead: “We are already deep into planning next year’s programme and are very honoured that Lloyd Jones has agreed so readily to be our Fish & Chips Supper speaker.”

“We are also well on the way to securing other key events for the weekend including the return for the second year of world famous children’s author, Joy Cowley.”

“Globally, most Booktowns have developed in small towns of historic interest, close to major cities. In 2017, historic Featherston’s links with the first world war will also be a feature with a focus on the battle for Messines Ridge in July 1917 – a victory for the New Zealand troops trained at Featherston”, says Mead.

As well as the planned attractions for the Booktown weekend event next year, Featherston Booktown Trust has mapped out a three year strategic plan to develop book-related infrastructure in the town and events covering the other 362 days of the year.

Trust Chair, Lincoln Gould says, “We are heavily engaged in seeking funding to build our capacity and hold events throughout the year that relate to the whole artefact of the book.”

“Approaches are being made for financial support from local authorities, community and national trusts and other charitable foundations. We have had wonderful contributions from individuals and service groups and we are also keen to further develop the very valuable relationships we have established with the local business community.”

Local feedback: “Booktown makes our community a better place to live.”

ENDS

Contacts:

Kate Mead 027 513 1418

Lincoln Gould 021 426 575

Note to editors:

A Booktown is a small rural town or village, close to major cities, in which secondhand and antiquarian bookshops are concentrated. Most Booktowns have developed in villages of historic interest and/or of scenic beauty. Their residents set up events around books - selling them, writing, reading, illustrating, printing, making and publishing them. Featherston Booktown is affiliated with the International Organisation of Booktowns www.booktown.net

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