Berwick Literary Festival at The Straw Yard

We’re delighted to be one of the host venues for this year’s Berwick Literary Festival – a week-long celebration of ideas, stories, and creativity right here in the heart of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Throughout the Festival, The Straw Yard will come alive with a rich programme of author events, poetry readings, and immersive creative workshops. Whether you’re a reader, writer or just curious to hear some new perspectives and ideas, you’re bound to find something that suits.

Festival dates at The Straw Yard: Monday 6 – Sunday 12 October 2025

Please note: All tickets for Literary Festival events hosted at the Straw Yard are available via The Maltings booking system: https://www.maltingsberwick.co.uk/whats-on/ 

What’s On at The Straw Yard

Monday 6 October, 7.30–8.30pm
Erik Satie: 100 Years Since His Death – Caroline Potter (£9)
A fascinating talk on the eccentric composer’s life and legacy.

BLF ’25: Erik Satie: 100 years since his death – The Maltings

Tuesday 7 October, 10am–12.30pm
Writing Our Silences – Poetry Workshop with Anne Ryland (£25)
Exploring silence and space in poetry through creative exercises.(Fully booked)

BLF ’25: Writing Our Silences – A Poetry Writing Workshop

Tuesday 7 October, 1.30–4.30pm
Structuring a Story with Notebooks & Paper – Sally Bayley & Suzie Hanna (£25)
A hands-on session using visual and sonic methods to shape stories.

BLF ’25: Structuring a Story with Notebooks and Paper: Creative Workshop – TheMaltings

Wednesday 8 October, 2–3pm
The Power of Storytelling – Marina Cantacuzino & Sara Cameron McBean (£9)
A conversation on conflict, healing and the impact of telling hard stories.

BLF ’25: The Power of Storytelling: conflict, struggle and forgiveness – The Maltings

Thursday 9 October, 10–11am
To Make People Happy – John Osborne (£9)
A joyful hour of uplifting stories, jokes and poetry.

BLF ’25: To Make People Happy – The Maltings

Thursday 9 October, 2–3pm
Night Climbing – Sarah Day (£9)
Truth, propaganda and the politics of misinformation between the wars.

BLF ’25: Night Climbing: Propaganda and misinformation between the wars – The Maltings

Thursday 9 October, 6–8pm
Memories and Emotions – Poetry Workshop with Tasneim Zyada (£25)
A welcoming space to explore memory and emotion through creative writing.

BLF ’25: Memories and Emotions Poetry Workshop – The Maltings

Friday 10 October, 12–1pm
English Mind, Arab Heart – Omar Sabbagh (£9)
Poetry, memory, and language across cultural and national boundaries.

BLF ’25: English Mind, Arab Heart – The Maltings

Saturday 11 October, 12–1.15pm
Bloodaxe Poets: Gillian Allnutt & Menna Elfyn (£9)
Two of Bloodaxe’s finest poets read and reflect on memory, reverence and care.

BLF ’25: Bloodaxe Poets: Gillian Allnut and Menna Elfyn – The Maltings

Sunday 12 October, 10–11am
Empathy is Our Strength – Keetie Roelen (£9)
How empathy can drive meaningful social change.

BLF ’25: Empathy is our strength: how to use it for social change – The Maltings

Sunday 12 October, 12–1pm
The Joy of Flat Places – Noreen Masud (£9)
A moving exploration of trauma, memory and flat landscapes.

BLF ’25: The Joy of Flat Places – The Maltings

We’re proud to be part of the Berwick Literary Festival and to host such a rich and
thoughtful series of events. We hope you’ll join us for an inspiring and memorable week!