Words worth reading

One of my favourite places in the Lake District is Grasmere. Where Windermere, Bowness and Ambleside are the loud, attention-seeking, bigger members of the Lakeland family, Grasmere is the quiet, more thoughtful one that doesn't feel the need to jump up and down to get attention.
Yes, it gets its visitors, of course it does. But there is a tranquillity about the village that doesn't exist in the hubbub of those other tourist spots.
And another reason I like it is its literary heritage. Yes, it's where the Wordsworths - William and Dorothy - lived.
Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Trust do a fantastic job keeping the poet's and his sister's legacies alive. But more than that, the trust is responsible for some great literary festivals, readings and events.
It's particularly strong on poetry, naturally, and big names who have appeared in the village in recent years include Simon Armitage and Carol Ann Duffy.
Indeed, Duffy - our current Poet Laureate - makes her second appearance in Grasmere in 12 months during the Dorothy Wordsworth Festival of Women's Poetry, which begins on Friday.
This weekend-long event is billed as 'A three-day showcase of women's poetry in Grasmere. Featuring some of our finest women poets, chosen and introduced by Carol Ann Duffy'.
The Poet Laureate says:

'When I accepted the position of Poet Laureate, I saw part of my role as highlighting the huge range of poetic talent around today, particularly among women poets. As part of this, I am delighted to work with the Wordsworth Trust on presenting what we hope will be an annual showcase of women's poetry. It seems very appropriate to do this in the name of Dorothy Wordsworth, a nurturing spirit behind William and herself an enormous talent.'
The festival features my personal selection of women poets giving readings and workshops and discussing what it means to be a female poet today. I do hope that you can join us.

Jackie Kay opens the festival, which runs until April 18, with a reading at Dove Cottage. During the weekend, you can see the likes of Lavinia Greenlaw, Gillian Clarke, Vicki Feaver and Duffy herself.

More details at: wordsworth.org.uk where you can also find lots of other interesting upcoming events.