Maidstone LitFest coming to MGGS

The first Maidstone literary festival launches next week, brought to the town by Maidstone Borough Council, with a varied and exciting programme of events for readers and book lovers of all ages.

MGGS is delighted to be hosting an event for students with talented local spoken word artist Paul Cree as part of the festival and we also have some exciting links in the form of three past students. 

Carole Skinner (neé Clarke), former Head Girl and recipient of the Madge Urmston Award, was a student at MGGS from 1962-1966. She is now supporting the Maidstone LitFest as a volunteer, alongside her husband Ken.

But the connection doesn’t end there. Carole’s younger sisters, Dr Jane Shankar and children’s author J C Clarke, both alumni of MGGS, are also featuring in the inaugural festival.

Dr Jane Shankar recently completed her PhD (The Contemporary Novel: Practice as Research) with the University of Kent and is bringing her expertise to aspiring writers with a talk on the use of archives in conducting research for a novel. 

J C Clarke, author of children’s fantasy adventure books Spellboda and Prophecy, is bringing the magic of her stories to children in two Maidstone primary schools and will be celebrating the launch of her second book with an event at Maidstone Kent History and Library Centre. 

It is such a delight to see such strong connections between the school and the festival and we hope this continues for many years to come.

Wednesday 4 October, 7–8pm – Kent History & Library Centre – Dr Jane Shankar – Archive Mining

Saturday 7 October, 11.30am–12.30pm – Kent History & Library Centre – J C Clarke 

Sunday 8 October, 1-2pm – Maidstone Museum – Chloe Timms in conversation with Dr Jane Shankar

For a full list of events, including outstanding children’s authors A F Steadman, Lindsay Galvin and Lucy Strange, visit the festival website at www.maidstonelitfest.org

Maidstone LitFest is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.