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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Happy national poetry day! This year's theme is 'wonder' 💫 Did you know that we have a full dedicated poetry day on Sunday 11th October? As well as other great poetry events and headliners happening throughout the festival. Discover poetry at ILF 2026: buff.ly/MJWFUih

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Great article in the Yorkshire Post by John Blow on our opening night guest - Andrew Davies. Andrew Davies: Life in Scripts is at King's Hall for the Ilkley Literature Festival on Friday, October 2 at 7pm. Tickets: ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Discover new writers, encounter new ideas and enjoy a very warm Yorkshire welcome! 2026 Festival Dates: Fri 2 – Sun 18 October ilkleylitfest.org.uk

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Jen Bowden @jenbowden12.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

'You only need a piece of paper and a pen to be able to write.' @thewordupnorth.bsky.social New Northern Poet @l-strickland.bsky.social features on Northern Voices this week talking all things writing and why she aims to make readers cry. on.soundcloud.com/KRVzAOZ26HSP...

A head and shoulders photo of Laura who is standing in a park. Behind her are autumn leaves on green grass and the trunk of a large tree. The background is slightly blurred. She is wearing a pink double-breasted coat, a black sheer shirt and a silver necklace and earrings. She has a short, dark brown bob and is smiling at the camera.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

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Ilkley Literature Festival @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Incredible review in The Times of Rachael Stirling's biography of her mother Diana Rigg - "a thrilling, chilling, uproarious and unputdownable account" Hear from Stirling herself at #ILF2026 on Fri 3 Oct 7.30pm at the King's Hall. Book now: ilkleylitfest.org.uk www.thetimes.com/culture/book...

thetimes.com

My mother, the formidable, frightening Diana Rigg

Rachael Stirling’s biography All About My Mother is a funny, moving and bracingly honest account of the Avengers actress

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Daniel Hinds @danielghinds.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

You can read a bit about how my poetry career has progressed since being a New Northern Poet at the @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social in 2023 here. Great to see what everyone has been up to, and to see the New Northern Poets scheme going from strength to strength! Long may it continue!

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

🎟️ FRIENDS PRIORITY BOOKING FOR THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL OPENS AT 10am, WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 🎟️ Become a Friend by emailing boxoffice@ilkleylitfest.org.uk or by calling us on 01943 816714 #IlkleyLiteratureFestival #booklovers #ILF2026 #WhatsOnIlkley #WhatsOnBradford #reading #bookworm #bookcommunity

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

We are seeking a passionate and experienced individual with an asset-based approach to creative engagement with young people and communities to join our team. Head to wordupnorth.org.uk/about-us/vac... for full details and how to apply. Application deadline: Wednesday 26 August 2026

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Discover the amazing work that our original New Northern Poets (2023) are doing and where to discover more of their work. CHARLOTTE OLIVER ~ DANIEL HINDS ~ KRISTINA DIPROSE ~ EMMA CONALLY-BARKLEM Full details: wordupnorth.org.uk/our-work/opp... @danielghinds.bsky.social

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

We have been made aware that fraudulent emails purporting to be from a member of our team are being sent to authors inviting them to participate in the Ilkley Literature Festival. See image for more details >>

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The Poetry Society and the T. S. Eliot Prize are delighted to open applications for a fifth year of the highly praised Young Critics Scheme. Learn more at: poetrysociety.org.uk/young-poets/... @thepoetrysociety

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Thank you, Daniel! We're very proud to count you amongst our growing New Northern Poets community! ❤️

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

📢 Calling all northern poets! Applications are OPEN for our 2026 New Northern Poets programme! This year's selected poets will receive mentoring, commissions, opportunities to build their profile and network & more! Apply by Thurs 30 April: tinyurl.com/ttfvwd4y #northernpoets #writingopportunity

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

We're hiring! We looking for two brilliant communications and marketing folks to join us at Word Up North in our mission to raise up writers, voices and stories in the north of England. For full details of the roles available and info on how to apply, go to wordupnorth.org.uk/about-us/vacancies

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Happy #worldbookday! To celebrate, here's the fantastically great Kate Pankhurst (@kateisdrawing) on stage @skiptontownhall last Sunday as part of @thewordupnorth's wonderful #StoryExplorerDay! Huge thanks to everyone who came. Hope you're having another brilliant book-filled day today!

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Return to Wonderland with Anna James (@acaseforbooks.bsky.social) at Skipton Town Hall on Sunday 1 March 2026 at 1.15-2.15pm as part of our #StoryExplorerDay! Suitable for ages 7-9. Tickets £4 per person (adults & children). Book now! wordupnorth.org.uk/events/anna-...

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Our Story Explorer Day is coming to Skipton for the first time on Sunday 1 March 2026! Join us for a celebration of classic children's stories with exciting events & interactive activities for families with children aged 0-11 years. Tickets and full event info: wordupnorth.org.uk/whats-on/chi...

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

A Poet's Life Podcast is now available to stream! Our podcast host Laura Strickland has been speaking to her fellow New Northern Poet’s Nóra Blascsók, Rachel Curzon, Nigeen Dara, Jamie Field & Vanessa Napolitano about their path to poetry and their poetry advice! Listen now: buff.ly/PpgwPoz

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Our New Northern Poets debuted their latest work at an amazing @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social showcase last month. They also took the chance to record the new series of the New Northern Poets podcast - focussing on the life of a poet. Keep your ears out - coming soon! 🎧

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

We're delighted to reveal our programme of online writing workshops taking place in early 2026. Ignite your imagination and develop your writing at any of our poetry, fiction and food writing workshops. And, as they're all online, you don't even have to be up north to take part! wordupnorth.org.uk

Word Up North
online writing workshops
2026
wordupnorth.org.uk
01943 816714

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Did you know we also programme and run the annual Ilkley Literature Festival? Ilkley Lit Fest is the longest-running book festival in the north (and the first in the north!). ILF runs until Sunday 19 October, with events on topics ranging from politics & poetry to comedy & cavapoos (yes, really). 📚

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

CSL, you did not disappoint! Thank you to every poet, artist, audience member, volunteer and partner who made this year's Contains Strong Language festival possible. It was a fantastic turn out and we're still revelling in the afterglow of a luminescent celebration of spoken word and poetry 🎤

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

A huge congratulations to Claire Lynn, one of our 2024 New Northern Poets, on being shortlisted for the Forward Prize's Best Single Poem for her poem Live Stream! 👏 forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...

forwardartsfoundation.org

In Conversation with Claire Lynn - Forward Arts Foundation

When did you start writing poetry and what drew you into it? I remember writing poems as a child, and...

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Nothing like a cuppa and picking out which Contains Strong Language events you're going to book... CSL comes to Bradford 18-21 Sept, with broadcasts, workshops, new playwriting, poetry and spoken word, and exclusive performances: bradford2025.co.uk/programme/bbc-contains-strong-language/

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

All events are now bookable for the BBC Contains Strong Language festival coming to Bradford 18-21 September! We're proud partners, alongside BBC Arts and Bradford City of Culture, in bringing CSL to Bradford for the first time. Book now! bradford2025.co.uk/programme/bbc-contains-strong-language/

Bradford poet Kirsty Taylor stands atop a trolley, wearing a brightly coloured outfit and holding a microphone. The text reads: BBC Contains Strong Language. Poetry, spoken word & performance, 18-21 Sept 2025 Bradford. Along the bottom are the logos for Arts Council England Lottery Funded, Bradford City of Culture 2025 and Word Up North.

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Bradford Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary @bradford-scos.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

We're delighted to have supported this project by @thewordupnorth.bsky.social with three of our Schools of Sanctuary in Bradford District exploring what it means to feel welcomed, especially for people seeking sanctuary seekers arriving in our city.

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Wonderful to see coverage of 'You're Welcome' in the @yorkshirepost.co.uk! Our creative project with primary schools in Bradford and Schools of Sanctuary explores what it means to feel welcomed, especially for refugees and sanctuary seekers. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-cul...

yorkshirepost.co.uk

Creative writing and visual art project celebrating refugees and asylum seekers

Arts and culture are powerful tools through which to explore sometimes complex issues while also allowing us to find connections as human beings. A project currently running in Bradford is a perfect e...

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

*Drumroll please*... We are delighted to announce this year's cohort of New Northern Poets! Keep an eye on our socials to track their journeys as New Northern Poets, and find out more about this year's group here: buff.ly/x40pEXw

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Introducing Bards of Bradford! We are so excited to be working with the inimitable Nabeela Ahmed and the team at Bradford Libraries to celebrate and share the people's poetry of Bradford.

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Did you know that this week is Refugee Week? The perfect time to kick off You're Welcome, a creative project that celebrates refugees and sanctuary seekers through poetry and visual art 👋 #RefugeeWeek #Bradford2025 #cityofsanctuary #schoolsofsanctuary

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Aireheads kicks off this week with our first poet in residence, Leeds-based writer and performer Andy Craven-Griffiths, leading a week of creative outdoor activities with Bradford's NHS Green Therapy Team and their service users.

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Kit de Waal @kitdewaal.com · 05/06/2025

Prize now open for: Stories of joy and resilience in the face of daily challenges Narratives of resistance, activism, and fighting against ableism in all its forms, Personal stories of triumph, solidarity, and empowerment within disabled communities Details in link. Please share :)

uk.jkp.com

JKP Writing Prize

Jessica Kingsley Publishers is the leading publisher of books on autism, social work, arts therapies and related subjects, publishing for both professionals and the general reader.

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Our Young Writers recently explored Arabic poetry and turned their hands to calligraphy under the expert guidance of Razwan Ul-Haq. Here they are perfecting their calligraphy using traditional hand-cut bamboo pens ✍️

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

As part of @bradford2025.co.uk, Rhubarb at the Triangle's resident writers (including two of our former New Northern Poets!) are inviting poets of all ages and experience levels to enter Wandering Words — a brand new poetry trail celebrating place and imagination in Shipley.

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Introducing Aireheads! Produced in partnership with the brilliant Green Therapy Team at NHS Bradford District Care, Aireheads will explore the relationship between poetry, nature connectedness and wellbeing by appointing three resident poets within three alternative green spaces across Bradford 🌳🧵

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

We are THRILLED to be partnering with the BBC and @bradford2025.co.uk to bring the UK's biggest poetry and performance festival to Bradford this September! Contains Strong Language will run from 18-21 September, with performances, readings, events and activities at venues across the city ⭐

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

"Everyone knows the word 'war'. But very few understand what it truly means." This term our Story Explorer Group will be reading You Don't Know What War Is by Yeva Skalietska.

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Very exciting news from @newwritingnorth.bsky.social - check out The Bee, their new online literary magazine showcasing working-class writing 👇🐝

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Poets across the north! You have until midnight tonight to apply to the 2025 New Northern Poets programme 🕛 tick tock...

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Thinking about applying to be a New Northern Poet? Find out what our 2024 poets had to say about the experience 👇

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Daniel Hinds @danielghinds.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

I was fortunate to be a New Northern Poet a few years ago and attend the Ilkley Poetry Festival. Highly recommend applying!

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Northern poets! You have one week left to apply for this paid development and mentoring opportunity! 👉 Find out more about the New Northern Poets programme and apply here: tinyurl.com/5ypj459f #poetry #northernwriters #writingopportunity

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

We're so excited to be working with Outside The Box Cafe and poet Chris Singleton again on Word Out! Our poetry and spoken word workshops are kicking off today, all in prep for the next Word Out showcase as part of BBC's Contains Strong Language and @bradford2025.co.uk this September!

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

📢 Calling all northern poets! Applications are OPEN for our 2025 New Northern Poets programme! This year's selected poets will receive mentoring, commissions, opportunities to build their profile and network & more! 👉 Apply by Weds 30 April: tinyurl.com/5ypj459f #northernpoets #writingopportunity

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

What a joy to see @danielghinds.bsky.social's published poetry collection! Daniel was part of our 2023 cohort of New Northern Poets: tinyurl.com/ynht78wc 2025 New Northern Poets applications open soon... Watch this space! 👀

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Word Up North @thewordupnorth.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

Charles and Phoebe from The Unit in Bradford delivered a fabulous workshop for our Young Writers on Screenwriting at Keighley Library. Our Young Writers were incredible as always, transforming stories into screenplay excerpts. Here comes the next generation of Bradford screenwriters!

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