Geldards sponsors 10th Anniversary of Derby Book Festival

Geldards is proud to sponsor Derby Book Festival as the annual literary festival celebrates its 10^th Anniversary this year.  The popular ten day literary celebration runs from 23^rd May – 1^st June 2025 with a host of creative events happening around Derby including author talks, workshops and storytelling sessions to help bring literature to life.

Funded by University of Derby, the Arts Council England and local business sponsors, Derby Book Festival plays a valuable role in supporting the economic, social, cultural and educational wealth of the city.  Geldards is proud to be a long-standing sponsor of this unique literary celebration which attracts internationally renowned writers, poets, historians, and storytellers to the city, and the firm has supported the festival since its inception.

Geldards is delighted to sponsor a diverse and interesting selection of  writer talks during the festival this year. The UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage hosts ‘An Evening with’ on 27^th May at Derby Theatre, introducing a selection of his new poetry collection ‘Dwell’ and taking questions from the audience on his award winning writing career.  James Naughtie, a mainstay of British political commentary, offers an in-depth exploration of life and work at the top of British political Journalism on 26^th May at Landau Forte College.

Former BBC Journalist Gabriel Gatehouse discusses ‘The Coming Storm’ a brilliant exploration of how conspiracy theories are weaponised against the liberal world on 24^th May at QUAD.   Social historian David Kynaston and biographer Harry Ricketts vividly retell the nail-biting 1961 Ashes Test match that heralded the dawn of a new era for English cricket on 30th May at QUAD.

The writer talks take place at QUAD, Landau Forte College or Derby Theatre and tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from www.derbybookfestival.co.uk.

David Williams Chairman, Geldards says:

“Derby Book Festival goes from strength to strength and Geldards have been proud supporters from the very beginning. We are delighted to be sponsoring some extremely interesting talks in their 10^th Anniversary year, including one by our very own UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

As well as attracting some high profile literary names to the city and encouraging tourism, the festival inspires learning through its community programme with schools and instils a love for literature in the younger generation. Geldards is delighted to offer its continued support for the festival,  there are so many book-related events at different venues across the city it is the highlight of the cultural calendar”.

Sian Hoyle, Director of Derby Book Festival commented:

“From the start of Derby Book Festival in 2015, Geldards’ support and encouragement has given us the confidence to invite some of the most exciting and interesting writers in the UK to Derby and introduce them to our dedicated and growing audiences.  The cultural life of our city is vital to its success and we are grateful to Geldards and other business partners for recognising this and showing their commitment.”