A TALK by the Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen was one of the special events at the rekindled Sedbergh Literary Festival, held over the weekend.

She gave her audience a ‘heart-warming’ account of her transformation from a Huddersfield townie to rural sheep farmer in the Yorkshire Dales.

Shelagh Cobb, project manager for the festival, said Amanda’s presence fitted well into the festival’s theme of ‘Our landscape and wellbeing’.

“Her accompanying image show was a delight, and certainly reinforced how our beautiful landscape, here in the Yorkshire Dales, can be so inspirational,” said Shelagh.

Other highlights included:

lRebecca Andrew-Crowe giving an inspiring talk, bravely sharing her story, which she has described in her moving book ‘One day at a time’.

l‘Rachel’s Storytime’ entertaining the local toddler group with her mix of songs, puppets and reading activities; and

lPoet Roger Stevens engaged adults and children alike with his lively performances.

lWriting workshops led by Claire Griffel, and were also inspired by local authors, Caitlin Lynagh, Diane Allen and Jean Briggs.

Over 100 local schoolchildren entered a creative writing competition. They were shown several images from our landscape and encouraged to let their imaginations lead to telling intriguing stories. The winning entries are now available on https://www.sedbergh.org.uk/shops – businesses/book-town/short-story-competition-2018/

To close the weekend, everyone joined at the Black Bull Hotel for some Great Gatsby glitz and glamour, plus a dinner to celebrate the end of the Festival.