Newham's free Word Festival

This free public event, hosted by the borough's Community Forums, is a full day celebration of the written and spoken word.

It will take place on Saturday, March 4, at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford, between 10am and 9pm.

Mayoral Adviser for Community Forums, Councillor Richard Crawford, is excited about the council's first ever Word Festival. He said: "Anyone who thinks that reading and writing is dull is in for a big surprise. We have a fantastic, varied programme incorporating many different cultures and languages. There'll be something for everyone to enjoy."

The Festival will feature a series of readings and performances by a range of local groups and authors.

Among them will be TV's 'The Bill' actress and author Roberta Taylor, Newham playwright Jim Kenworth, poet and comedian Paul Lyalls, Newham Writers Group and the young writers collective, Alphabet Soup.

The event will also offer reading and writing workshops hosted by experienced authors, including East London's Charlie Dark and renowned poet and musician Freddy Macha.

There'll be sessions on children's storytelling, poetry for young people, animation for teenagers, book making for adults, as well as the history of West Ham United Football Club with local author Brian Belton.

For budding writers there'll be a creative writing workshop and tips on getting your work published, hosted by literature development agency, Spread the Word.

This part of the East End will have its time in the limelight too as the Festival will premier 'Reminiscences', a short film about the borough produced by Community Forum members. Its screening will be accompanied by a discussion of Newham yesterday, today and tomorrow.

The event will culminate in an evening showcase highlighting talent from across the borough.

For more information and the full Word Festival programme please call the freephone 0800 519 4015.

Free transport for Newham residents is available - call the freephone to register.

There are 10 Community Forums in Newham for local people to have their say and agree priorities for their community.