Llangwm Literary Festival offers ‘Cool Comfort’ during Pembrokeshire Heatwave

During a summer when it has been Scorching in St David’s, Blistering in Bosherston and Tropical in Tenby, the innovative Cleddau village of Llangwm is using its annual litfest to help keep you cool.

Top of the bill on 10 August for children (and well-behaved adults) is award-winning writer Meredith Hooper who will be talking about Scott, the Antarctic and Endurance. Meredith will also be telling us about the importance of keeping this fascinating ice Kingdom pristine (and cold!).

Sharp on Meredith’s heels will be the celebrated Llangwm illustrator Fran Evans and, much-loved Pembrokeshire wordsmith, Anna Wilson, to help participants transform Antarctic inspiration into an illustrated short story. Polar bears, Penguins, Orcas and … Ice are the order of the day.

Next in the line-up is the Alis Hawkins, Countess of Crime Cymru, with her murder mystery ‘None So Blind’. Set at the time of the Rebecca Riots, this session promises to chill you to the core.

Saturday 11 August brings Pembrokeshire lads Jamie Owen and David Wilson to present their new photobook ‘A Year in Pembrokeshire’ and, on request, will take you on a cold climate journey through the winter months of Pembrokeshire: from the majestic St David’s Cathedral in all her Christmas finery to the wild New Year/Hen Galan celebrations at the Gwaun Valley on 13 January.

The pièce de résistance in Llangwm’s ‘beat the heat’ strategy will be a screening of ‘Gathering the Graves’ which uses the centenary of the end of World War One to explore the work of the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission. The film, produced by amateur filmmaker, Bob Phillips, brings in the very personal perspectives of his own family and will be accompanied by the haunting melodies of Llangwm’s ultracool septuagenarian ‘boy’ band ‘Wrong Direction’.

And of course, if none of that works, this punchy Pembrokeshire village has a cunning back-up plan. The Caffle Brewery, Lynne Jelley’s Prosecco and Gin mobile Palace, and The Cottage Inn with a brand-new line in sangria will be on hand to provide all the cooling comfort required. Ice-cream and chilled soft drinks will also be in plentiful supply

For more information on the festival (tickets, attendance, participation and sponsorship opportunities), please contact llangwmlitfest@gmail.com or call 07970 812050, or visit our website: www.llangwmlitfest.co.uk The festival opening ceremony is at 10:00 am on 10 August at the Valero Marquee next to Llangwm Village Hall, Llangwm SA62 4HT.

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