Join us for a day of Shared Reading from the works of classic author, Elizabeth Gaskell.
Famous for her social commentary and vivid portrayal of Victorian life, Gaskell’s most popular works Cranford, Mary Barton and North and South define her as a major 19th-century author.
We’ll be joined by Ex-Chair of the Gaskell Society, Libby Tempest who also volunteers for Elizabeth Gaskell House. Libby will bring her expertise on this incredible author and treat us to a fascinating talk.
Booking includes pastries, tea and coffee upon arrival as well as a delicious summer picnic-inspired buffet, homemade by our in-house chefs.
Liverpool Book Festival is returning with a Summer Special at BOXPARK in Liverpool this summer.The packed event will feature over 60 authors selling their books directly, artisan stalls, street food, talks, live music and a kids zone — with free entry for Under 12s.
Spanning various genres and featuring some incredible independent and bestselling authors, as well as some publishers, it’s an opportunity to meet them and buy their books directly. Some familiar faces will be selling their books, including:
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Celebrity chef Dave Critchley
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SAS hero Rusty Firmin
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Comic book legends Tim Quinn & Kev Sutherland
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Crime bestseller Conrad Jones
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Lots of other local independent authors, festival debut authors and publishers
There will also be some incredible live music on the day featuring some of the region’s most talented artists. On the main stage, there’ll be beautiful acoustic live music followed by a DJ spinning Balearic beats — with live music on the outdoor terrace too! Music on the day includes:
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Abbie Fairchild
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Liz Owen
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Aimee Lea Frances
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DJ Laura Love
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Nikhil Hathiwala
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Oisin Hassan
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JP Cumberlidge
As part of Armed Forces Day celebrations, Martin Jones will be presenting his talk ‘The Man Who Shod War Horses’.
This is a talk detailing the family history of John Westhead who was killed in France in WW1. He was the local village blacksmith at Newburgh in West Lancashire. In 1914 he joined the Army Remount Depot, which had been opened in the next village, as a civilian Smith/Farrier. In 1915 all fit men were forced to sign up for war duties . He signed up at the age of 42. and was 44 when he was killed.
During the war over 300.000 horses and mules were trained for war activities at the Depot. In 2004 documents were found relating to his war time experience. The story is based around these documents and personal letters. Part 1- tells how and were the documents were found. Part 2 – family history from 1851. Part 3 – His war time experience and Part4 – how family coped with the loss of a husband and father. An Antique Road Show expert has described the story as ‘LIKE GOLD DUST’. He said very seldom do you see such a comprehensive WW1 story which includes the medals awarded.
All proceeds from the talk are donated to the annual British Legion Poppy Appeal
Marina’s new book takes readers on a dizzying tour of the most absurd scenes and characters of our recent past with her singular satirical ingenuity.
So lettuce remember Liz Truss, relive the last days of the Tories, meet the guy they called No-Drama Starmer, and succumb to hyper-resistant superbug Nigel Farage. Travel stateside to meet our supranational Silicon Valley overlords, Donald Trump and his cavalcade of henchmen – then head for infinity and beyond with Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos.
Experience testing times for misunderstood men in television, create wonder in every moment with Meghan, and relive the horror of the Gwyneth Paltrow ski massacre trial. Truly, these are times that make you want to put your hands over your eyes. The only thing to do is join us for an evening with Marina Hyde and howl with laughter.
The ‘People’s Emergency Briefing’ is an eye opening film bringing together 9 leading UK scientists in the fields of climate change, nature, health, food security, economics and national security who present the latest evidence on what the nature and climate crises will mean for all of us.
The film is based on on the National Emergency Briefing given in Westminster Hall last November by the 9 leading scientists and features Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden and Jennifer Saunders.
After the film there will be an open discussion on what the issues raised in the film mean for us and what we can do about them
Poet, writer and LJMU creative writing lecturer Helen Tookey discusses and reads from her new book Outward Bound from Liverpool: Reading Malcolm Lowry. Weaving together literary criticism, memoir and place-writing, the book takes the reader on an immersive journey through the landscapes – textual and geographical, remembered and reimagined – of Wirral-born novelist, poet and short-story writer Malcolm Lowry (1909–57).
At the same time, the book follows the author’s own evolving engagement with Lowry as she uses him to ‘think with’, turning his texts and her readings of them through unexpected angles, exploring questions of place and belonging, exile and home.
Moving through the various terrains of Lowry’s life and work – Liverpool and the Wirral; Dollarton in British Columbia, where he found his always-threatened idyll; the archive of his work; and the richly textured, symbolic landscapes of his writing itself – the book offers a compelling, lyrical and often moving account of a sustained engagement with a writer and what it can enable. Outward Bound from Liverpool also pays tribute to the humour, beauty and passion of Lowry’s writing, his deeply felt sense of place, and his prescient concern for the natural world. It explores how reading can change us and shows why Lowry is a writer still very much for today.
Helen will be in conversation with the Bluecoat’s Director of Cultural Legacies, Bryan Biggs, with whom she collaborates on the arts centre’s annual Lowry Lounge celebration of the writer.
“A generous and open-minded literary adventure. Thoroughly researched but never allowing the propulsive narrative to be held back. Helen Tookey wins our trust and delivers a brave sequence of approaches to an impossible and endlessly rewarding author” – Iain Sinclair
Outward Bound from Liverpool: Reading Malcolm Lowry is published by Liverpool University Press, August 2026
Free, booking required
Step into the world of AI and see how it’s shaping science, healthcare, and innovation across Liverpool and the UK.
From groundbreaking research at the University of Liverpool to real-world applications in our city region, this event brings science to life for a community that takes pride in Liverpool’s innovation, collaboration, and world-class research.Meet researchers and take part in discussions with experts, ask your questions, share your ideas, and see how AI is being used responsibly to make a positive impact.
Join senior academic experts who will discuss the innovative research being driven by AI technologies and their applications.
Hear about the impact and innovations that have emerged from AI-led research at Liverpool, the future of AI in research, and solutions it may (or may not) bring in a panel discussion.
By the end of this session, participants will have an understanding of the AI for Life Research Frontier, Civic Health Innovation Labs and other innovative research that is being delivered at the university driven by AI technologies. You will also learn how the university is partnering with non-academic partners to deliver innovative research in AI.
A singer and actor, a TV host and author, a multiple BRIT Award nominee and a film star – Toyah has worn many hats during a remarkable career spanning more than 50 years. The High Priestess of Punk burst onto the scene in 1976 as she forged dual careers as a musician and actress who featured at The National Theatre and London’s Royal Court.
Her role in Quadrophenia made her a household name and soon after she gatecrased the charts with It’s A Mystery, I Want To Be Free, and Thunder In The Mountains, as the album, Anthem, earned a gold disc and BRIT nominations for Best Female and British Breakthrough Act. She married King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp in 1986 and she starred opposite Sir Laurence Olivier and The Who’s Roger Daltrey, among others. Acting, presenting, performing, headlining tours, and releasing 16 studio albums continued her unique story and now it’s time to reflect. With a new book in the offing, Toyah is hitting the road for an extensive UK tour in which she’ll sing favourite hits and tell stories from her remarkable career.
In collaboration with Merseyside Civic Society, join Knowsley’s Regeneration Team for a fascinating insight into Knowsley’s growth journey, which in recent years has stemmed population decline and increased housebuilding.
Hosted at the splendid Shakespeare North Playhouse, the visit will also include a chance to see the Cockpit theatre at the Playhouse, a walkabout in Prescot Town Centre with its shopfronts initiative, heritage projects and new pedestrian routes.
Event Partner:
Merseyside Civic Society
