The First HG Wells Festival in Kent

The First HG Wells Festival in Kent
Friday 18 through to Sunday 20 September 2009
It’s one hundred years since H.G. Wells’ hasty exit from Sandgate and
Folkestone on the Kent coast. So recently a group of local residents galvanised
by the inauguration of a £1000 literary HG Wells literary prize got together and
planned the first of what is to be an annual H. G. Wells festival.
From Friday 18 through to Sunday 20 September, they have organised a
programme of events to celebrate H G Wells’ heritage, and his literary and
artistic links with this area during his life here from 1896 to 1909. Taking
place in the Edwardian elegance of The Grand, on Folkestone’s Leas, it also
includes exhibitions at local galleries and guided tours.
Sandgate resident, 94-year-old Reginald Turnill, has bequested an annual £1000
prize for a short handwritten story in the style of Wells. Reg, well-known as
the BBC’s aerospace correspondent who gave eye-witness broadcasts from Nasa
of the astronauts landing on the moon, actually interviewed Wells in the 1930s
and remembers his ‘squeaky’ voice. Through a process of nominations, the
winner will be presented with the cheque by Professor Dominic Wells, H G’s
great grandson, on Sunday 20 September, as the culmination of the Festival.
All three generations since H G have produced top scientists and Dominic is no
exception. He has done much work developing new treatments for Duchenne
Muscular Dystrophy and as well as many other roles is Head of the
Department of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Imperial College, London.
Professor Wells with his wife, Dr K E Wells will be Guests of Honour at the
festival dinner on Saturday 19th where Professor Patrick Parrinder from the H G
Wells Society will provide insights into Wells’ association with Kent and there
will also be a showing of Zac Cooke’s specially commissioned locally based film
of The New Accelerator with an explanatory talk.
EXHIBITIONS AND WALKS AT THE WEEKEND
A Guided Walk and unique opportunity to view Spade House and historic Sandgate
with Robert Sussams followed by a Self Guided Tour (using booklet and map provided)
to other areas connected with Wells, taking in part of the Pilgrim’s Way ending at The
Cat & Custard Pot, where the huge key to Paddlesworth church can be obtained.
Incidentally, The Cat & Custard Pot is the pub where Battle of Britain pilots came from
nearby Hawkinge aerodrome to drown their sorrows or celebrate. It is still full of
Hellfire Corner memorabilia.
A Kipps Walk in Folkestone is being provided by local historian Eamonn Rooney. In
collaboration with Kent Library Service, this will be digitised for the Cultural Olympics.
The Neville Pundole Gallery, Tontine Street, Folkestone, presents The Sea Lady - an
exhibition of Pictures, Pottery, Glass and Sculpture inspired by The Sea Lady - A Tissue
of Moonshine by H.G Wells. This runs from Saturday 5th to Saturday 26 th September.
10% of all sales of will be contributed towards the running of the Wells Festival.
Additionally Nicholas Reed will be holding a reception at the gallery on Thursday 10th
September for subscribers and supporters of Folkestone Creative to promote the
bronze sculpture “The Sea Lady” by Frank Magnus-Hirshfield which is being offered by
sealed bid auction.
The Cristus Gallery, Sandgate High Street will have specially commissioned paintings
and 3D works. The front exhibition space will house War of the Worlds and Sea Lady
pieces by Mark Hoskins and fantastical mermaids by Julie-Anne Bowden. A model
maker, Neil Jones, will also be producing some of his unique creations based on the
great novelist's work.
The White Shed will be hoping to promote discussion with a challenging range of new
work – including painting The Invisible Man? & The Red Room – all connected with the
life and work of Wells. The exhibition in the Palm Court at The Grand runs throughout
September. They will also be creating a happening at the opening event called
“Artists Eat Wells’ Words” LITERALLY..
Patrick Marrin’s Antiquarian Bookshop will provide a display of rare, out of print and
first edition copies of Wells’ books at the opening event.
The film of Jeff Wayne’s musical The War of the Worlds based on Wells book will be
introduced by Nicholas Reed who will lead a discussion on the sci fi elements of Wells
work.
The Grand, in its the beautiful setting on The Leas, Folkestone will house the main
events and is arranging Edwardian Breakfasts and Teas daily so guests can fully
immerse themselves into the Edwardian theme. Fully inclusive weekend stays are
also available for those visiting who live further a field.
For information, details of the events, booking and prices please see the website:
www.wellsfestival.com or call 01303 222222.
Ends
For press information please contact
Sandie Barker at Barker Publicity on 01303 248 505 / 020 7586 4604
[email protected] or
The Organiser Mary Mather on 01303 266331 e: [email protected]
August 09