Ilkley young writers celebrate 10th anniversary with anthology and performance

A cohort of writers belonging to Ilkley Literature Festival’s young writers group are celebrating 10 years of the writing programme with a new anthology. 

Launched in 2011 as a festival initiative, the group is aimed at young writers, and hosts workshops and talks on prose, songwriting, monologues and poetry.

The work of several writers, aged between 12 and 25, will be featured in Hanging Off Trees, which covers topics including identity, love, fear, conflict and ancient myth. The anthology has been edited by the programme’s creative leaders Michelle Scally Clarke, Becky Cherriman and Sai Murray.

Past and present members will read some of their contributions at the festival’s open air Summer Fringe – a series of outdoor evening performances by Yorkshire creatives, taking place every Thursday in August. The young writers event will take place on 25th August at 6.30 p.m. in the courtyard of Ilkley Manor House.

The anthology was developed and compiled throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, with writers meeting over Zoom with the groups’ creative leaders to develop the book’s concept, title and themes.

Scally Clarke, a creative leader from 2011 to 2021, has worked alongside authors including Linton Kwesi Johnson, Benjamin Zephaniah and poet laureate Simon Armitage. 

"This anthology is a celebration and testimony, a voice, of Bradford and Ilkley’s young writers," she said. "This beautiful collection of poetry and prose leaves you inspired.”

Frankie Wills, a member of the group from 2015 to 2019, is currently completing a BA in English at Nottingham University, and is returning to Ilkley to perform her work alongside the young writers cohort. She commented. "I know that I would not have half the confidence I have today if I had not decided to go to that first taster session. I will always be grateful for the wonderful memories."

Tickets for the event are free and available to book now, and copies of the anthology can also be pre-ordered.