Cheltenham Literature Festival isn’t acually until early October but it’s getting off to a flying start, and even if you’re not heading to the actual festival, there’s a good chance you’ll be taking part in some way as there are loads of events happening around the town.
One such event is the Cheltenham Literature Festival’s Big Read Book Drop, and as part of that 100 books were given away to rail passengers travelling between Cheltenham Spa and New Street, Birmingham yesterday.
If you were lucky enough to be travelling between the two places yesterday then you may well now have a brand new copy of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Color Purple. CrossCountry trains handed out 100 copies of the book on Tuesday as part of the festival, supporting the theory that books are the perfect travelling companion.
Passengers on the 11:17 service to Cheltenham Spa were also treated to a live reading of the novel by performer Tyra Sirandula, a local performer and musician, and there’s more planned too! Look out for a Color Purple flashmob on Cheltneham High Street and an online quiz too, as Cheltenham ensures their literature festival reaches the whole town!
The festival, sponsored by The Times and Sunday Times is one of many held in the town and the main events will take place between 7th and 16th October. If you fancy heading along, you can find out more about The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival here.
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