SPOTLIGHT ON... WOLDS WORDFEST
- theatrereviews
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
An exclusive interview with Ellen, and the exciting WordsFest coming to market towns across the Lincolnshire area...
Q. Where in Lincolnshire are you based, and what's your connection to the local arts scene?
"I manage the weekly market at Gainsborough and each month we run a farmers and craft market where we have entertainment for children and adults – we have had all manner of things over the past three years – including dinosaurs and dragons rampaging around the Market Place, 1940s themed markets with wonderful vintage singers, rockabilly groups blasting out, turning the Market Place into a rockin’ outdoors dance venue! Our literature village in September is a big hit and this is where our WordFest events started."
Q. Give us a brief intro into Wolds WordFest. Which other towns are involved?
"Wolds WordFest is an event brought to you by the Cultural Team at West Lindsey District Council. The District covers the towns of Gainsborough, Market Rasen and Caistor and the main offices are in Gainsborough. Nicola Marshall, the Towns Manager, is organising the Wolds WordFest with partners at Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre and Lincolnshire Libraries."
Q. What do you think West Lindsey, and other areas of Lincolnshire, do really well when it comes to cultural opportunities?
"We are really good at getting the local communities involved, schools, young people, creatives, residents of all ages – we love people working with us and bringing their enthusiasm and ideas along. The WordFests are inspired by local writers, performers, creatives, library staff, community groups and just really enthusiastic people – we can’t make these events happen without them."
Q. Quite simply, give me three words that describe what live performance means to you.
"Essential, Exciting, Real."
Q. Let's talk about 'WordFest'. Is this the first time something like this has been curated or it is a first?
"We started 3 years ago with our Literature Village on Gainsborough Market and from there the first Wolds WordFest took place in Market Rasen in 2024 – this year we have grown to 3 WordFests in One Summer: Welton on 14th June, Wolds – ten days in July and Gainsborough 13th September in the town centre’s market place and other exciting venues."
Q. What can participants expect from WordFest? What's in-store for them?
"Lots! For all ages. WordFest Wizzard Wizzine fun for children in the libraries and an ice-cream ice-spy trail – yummy! Talks by experts on literary history, Lincolnshire dialect. Quiet space and socialising with our silent bookclubs. Music and outdoor theatre, book sales, books swaps, and a nice chill out in one of book cafes."
Q. What's been your favourite thing about organising WordFest?
"Working with some fabulous people who love to get things going LIVE in their local area. Wonderful volunteers without whom these events would not happen."
Q. How can folk find out more about WordFest?
"We have our own dedicated socials page here:
and our landing page is on VISIT LINCOLNSHIRE is https://www.visitlincolnshire.com/events/wolds-word-fest/
Q. Anything else in the pipeline that the people of West Lindsey can get their calendars ready for?
"August 9th in Gainsborough we have the YMCA climbing wall back in the town centre, September 13th Gainsborough WordFest: https://discovergainsborough.com/wordfest/
Q. Back to 'WordsFest', could you give me one popular song title that describes the 'WordsFest' experience for the audience.
"Well that’s hard! Let’s go for a book related song – it’s a bit of a bleak old story – but the song is fabulous – 'Wuthering Heights' by Kate Bush."
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