Volunteers at last year’s Monmouth Literary Festival

Pupils from three schools have secured around £10,000 in sponsorship to make the second Monmouth Literary Festival possible this summer.

The voluntary committee, formed by six teenagers from Monmouth School, Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and Monmouth Comprehensive, impressed the town council with their presentation, winning £4,000 from the panel last week.

The rest of the funding has been donated by Monmouth Rotary Club, Friends of Monmouth Comprehensive School, the National Union of Teachers, Friends of HMSG and The Nimbus Foundation.

The festival, which will run from June 22 to 26, aims to encourage people of all ages to get excited about literature.

Committee member Alice, 17, from HMSG said: “I wasn’t involved in last year’s festival but had heard exciting things about it and was really interested in being a part of it.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet authors and take part in organising an event that would bring the three schools and the community closer together.

“This year there are evening events being held in community locations which will enable the town to share the festival with the schools.

“Due to the range of events and selection of exciting authors speaking this year, there will be something for everyone and all ages to enjoy.

“We also hope that the festival will put Monmouth on the literary map, bring in new visitors and that the Monmouth Literary Festival will grow both in size and success in the future.”

The programme this year is titled Beyond the Book and will feature musicians, film composers, a slam poet and authors from all genres – including some very high profile names. Events will take place throughout Monmouth including The Shire Hall, The Blake Theatre, The Punch House, school halls and marquees, during the day and in the evenings.

A schedule will be announced very soon.

Follow the festival’s Twitter feed @MonmouthLitFest for updates and event information.