Books & Words
Berwick's Writers Invited to Share Their Stories
From published poets and novelists to people quietly filling notebooks at home, Berwick is home to a remarkable community of writers. This year, that community is being invited to contribute to a new anthology project, Stories from England's Northern Edge.
The anthology is inspired by this year's Berwick Literary Festival theme, How We Find Our Way, which also marks the 200th anniversary of Berwick Lighthouse.
Writers are invited to submit poetry, flash fiction, short fiction and creative non-fiction exploring ideas of navigation, place, memory, belonging, journeys, illumination, uncertainty, home, or any other interpretation inspired by the theme. Selected work will be published as part of a digital anthology running throughout the summer. Organisers are also working towards printing the anthology.
Importantly, the project is open to writers at every stage of their journey. Whether you're an experienced writer, someone returning to writing after a long break, or simply curious about sharing your work for the first time, submissions are warmly encouraged.
The anthology is being delivered in partnership with Berwick Writers' Forum, the year-round literary community programme of Berwick Literary Festival. Membership is free and open to anyone with an interest in writing and literature.
Forum members receive regular updates on opportunities and events, including Cabaret of Words, the popular bi-monthly live literature night at The Straw Yard, and Between the Lines, an ongoing series of conversations with authors, poets and other literary guests.
To find out more about Stories from England's Northern Edge, submit work, or join the Berwick Writers' Forum, visit: www.berwickliteraryfestival.com
Stories from England's Northern Edge is supported by Create Berwick, Northumberland County Council and the North East Combined Authority through the North East Culture & Creative Zone Programme.
Save the Date: Berwick Literary Festival Returns 5–11 October
The countdown is on. Berwick Literary Festival will return from 5–11 October 2026, bringing a week of stories, ideas, conversations and creativity to venues across the town.
While the full programme remains under wraps until the end of July, Festival organisers have revealed this year's theme: How We Find Our Way.
Inspired by the 200th anniversary of Berwick's iconic lighthouse, the theme invites audiences to explore the people, stories and ideas that help us navigate an increasingly complex world.
With more than 55 events planned, this year's Festival promises some of the most high-profile names ever to appear in Berwick, alongside emerging voices, performances and events for families and young people.
Festival Director Joan Montgomery said: "Books and stories remain one of the most powerful ways we have of finding our way through the world. We're delighted to be building a programme that brings together remarkable writers, thinkers and performers, while continuing to create opportunities for people of all ages to engage with creativity in our town."
Founded in 2014, Berwick Literary Festival has grown from a grass-roots event into one of the town's most distinctive cultural celebrations. Alongside the Festival itself, the volunteer-run organisation delivers year-round activity including events such as The Cabaret of Words, schools programmes, creative workshops, community projects and the Berwick Writers' Forum, which is open to writers of all persuasions, backgrounds and levels of experience.
Those wishing to support the Festival's future can become a Festival Patron. Benefits include priority tickets, exclusive Patron events and special offers from local partners including The Book Loft, while helping sustain an organisation that brings significant cultural and community value to Berwick throughout the year.
Tickets for the full programme go on sale on Friday 7 August.
Until then, mark the dates in your diary: 5–11 October 2026
For more information visit:
www.berwickliteraryfestival.com
The Wilson's Tales Project
Tales shaped by Border history and heritage
The Wilson's Tales Project (WTP) was founded in 2013 to celebrate the life and work of local author, poet and playwright John Mackay Wilson.
Born in Tweedmouth in 1804, Wilson returned in 1832 to become editor of The Berwick Advertiser, cementing his place in the town's literary history. We spoke to Project Director, Andrew Ayre, to find out more about this fascinating figure and the legacy he left behind.
John Mackay Wilson became most famous for his publication of Wilson's Tales of the Borders, first published in 1834 with a weekly run of 2,000 copies. Due to its popularity, circulation increased to 30,000 copies within a year, and the books remained in print for the next 150 years.
"The WTP was created to stimulate a revival of a wide community interest in Wilson's Tales of the Borders. The Project raises awareness of these heritage tales, their historic context and content, and provides a platform for contemporary artists of all types to respond to and re-tell them."
Since its inception, the WTP has produced more than 90 newsletters documenting its research and activities. Working with volunteer writers, researchers and artists, it has published eight 'revival edition' volumes featuring selected tales rewritten into a shorter, more accessible style. Each story is accompanied by historical background and illustrations, combining original artwork with new interpretations inspired by the tales. The original stories were subtitled 'Historical, traditionary and imaginative' — some leaning more towards one category than another.
The WTP also collaborates widely with artists and creatives. Local creative Joe Lang, who was involved in the project's early days, remarked: "The tales are an absolute gold mine for creatives looking for ideas to develop."
The Project has now staged more than 40 events showcasing the tales in different ways. This began when a doctor approached the team with a series of plays based on the tales that had never been produced, while local artist Morag Eaton wanted to illustrate one of the stories.
The Project sponsors an award for a new play based on a Wilson's Tale at Duns PlayFest, and each year presents a dramatised story at its annual dinner commemorating Wilson, alongside readings of his humorous poetry and a 100-word writing challenge. Many productions have also been filmed, creating a dozen recordings to date.
Find out more about the competition:
www.wilsonstales.co.uk/100words-competition
Collaborations have included the Northumberland Theatre Company, which toured five selected tales across the region, and the Borders Pub Theatre Company, which staged six tales at Duns and Paxton House.
Many of the stories draw on older Border ballads, and the Project has also worked with musicians to weave these traditions into performances.
Most recently, the WTP collaborated with local artist Ali Edwards, supported by Create Berwick, to develop Walking with Wilson — a self-guided walking trail around Berwick and Tweedmouth exploring historic tales from the town's past.
"So, if you want to find out why Grizzy Cochrane cross-dressed as a highwayman to save her father's neck, Lancelot Errington cross-dressed as a fisherwoman to save his own, and the Governor of Berwick just got cross, visit our website and try the walk. And why Wilson never enjoyed the fruits of his success."
The team has recently completed a major redevelopment of its website, providing more information, including a digital version of the walking trail with recorded versions of the tales.
www.wilsonstales.co.uk