Ten years after Dr John Wedgwood Clarke joined the East Riding Library Service to set up the Beverley Literature Festival and, subsequently, the Bridlington Poetry Festival, he has decided to step down.
The decision is an exciting one, both for the two prestigious festivals, and for John.
He said: “It has been such a pleasure for me to run these festivals and to meet so many wonderful local lovers of books and reading and to interview and hear so many superb writers from around the world.
“It was always my ambition to bring the very best in writing to the East Riding for our readers and to provide local writers with learning experiences and opportunities that helped them take their work forward. This could not have been possible without so many good people helping out through volunteering and participating whole-heartedly in the festival, or without the support of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Arts Council England.
“I have learnt so much over the past ten years and feel so proud of what we’ve achieved, but now, for personal reasons, it is time for someone else to take this essential and exciting work forward.
“I will be taking up a Leverhulme Artsist Residency with the Centre for Ecology and Marine Studies at the University of Hull. This will give me the opportunity to build upon my work as a poet and writer.
“It’s very hard to say goodbye to the festivals, but if there’s one thing that would have tempted me away and made my departure easier it is this new opportunity to write full-time for a year.
“I wish my successors every success and all the fun, excitement and friendship that I have experienced while undertaking this wonderful role for the East Riding Library Service.”
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is committed to continuing the work of the festivals. Antony Dunn, assistant director at the Bridlington Poetry Festival, will take up the role of director for this year’s festival, 8-10 June 2012 and the Beverley Literature Festival will take place during the first two weeks of October 2012.
John Wedgwood Clarke will be holding a reception to say goodbye to everyone who has given so much to help make the festivals possible. This will take place on Friday, 30 March, 4.30pm 6pm, at Beverley Art Gallery and everyone who has helped at the festival or supported it over the years is welcome to say goodbye to John and to find out more about the exciting future for literary activity in the East Riding.
