CHAGFORD will host its first ever literary festival in 2013, with a series of run-up events planned over the next few months.

The inaugural ChagWord festival will run from Friday March 15 to Sunday March 17, with the festival programme under continuing development. Among authors already booked to appear are Paula Byrne, Miriam Darlington, Jonathan Dimbleby, Chris Mullin and Malcolm Pryce.

The weekend will include a variety of workshops and other events, including a performance by LiTTLe MACHiNe, setting poetry to music. There will also be opportunities for community participation for all age groups, in particular at a 'Diary of a Day' event.

Festival organisers are also planning a series of run-up events during the next few months to build up excitement for the event. The first of these events takes place tomorrow (Friday), with a lyric writing workshop from ten to 18 year olds at Endecott House.

Starting at 2pm, Anna Shields of Starling Arts will teach tips and techniques of lyric writing, and participants will write lyrics to tunes that Anna brings along. At the end of the workshop, family members can enjoy an informal concert performance of some of the songs produced or studied on the day.

The second event planned is 'Evacuees' Stories', led by authors Iris Jones Simantel and Michael Henderson. Both were evacuated during the Second World War, Iris aged five to the Welsh countryside, and Michael aged eight to the USA.

Iris' prize-winning 2012 memoir Far from the East End is a best seller, while Michael's account See You After the Duration recved critical acclaim upon its publication in 2004. The two authors will discuss their books and experiences during the war. The event at Endecott House takes place on Thursday, December 13 from 7.30pm, with tickets costing £6.50 to include a glass of wine.

To find out more on the festival and the run-up events visit http://www.chagword.com">www.chagword.com