From Enid Stephenson

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

I was sorry to read that the festival has drawn to a close.  I realise nothing can go on for ever.  And I think the festival was very different from the earlier one… but things shouldn't remain the same.  I have very good memories of my involvement with the festival in the early 2000s when our aim was to include as many people (and importantly children) from as wide range of interests as possible.  We left the hills of West Yorkshire for the fairly level county of Suffolk mainly because, Chris, my late husband had severe heart trouble.  We were sad to leave but it did help to give him another decade of life and included many strolls by the sea and much glorious music at Snape Maltings where a lot of unsung work goes on with young musicians as well as professionals from across the world.

I don't know how much effect the demise of the regional arts council offices have had.  In East Anglia when we had a bookshop in Norwich I was heavily involved with the terrific Authors in Schools scheme.  And I have never forgotten an early meeting with Yorkshire Arts when I was told that I could have a grant for Benjamin Zephaniah because Hebden Bridge had few if any black people living there.  I felt like kicking someone (he was invited because of the quality of his work) but accepted the grant!

I am always impressed by the HB website, don't see it that frequently but when I do it absorbs a decent amount of time!

Best wishes Enid