The annual Wolds Words Festival of Reading, Writing & Performance took place between Thursday 19 and Sunday 22 October 2006 with four lead-up days of partner events. Attracting its' biggest audience to date of over 2000 people to 37 events the Festival took over 10 venues in and around Louth including its' key partner, Louth Playgoer's Riverhead Theatre. The Festival Steering Group would like to thank all its' funders, partners and supporters for (in the words of one happy participant) "The best festival yet!"

Wednesday 18 October
The Open Mic Session took place on the eve of the festival, with new partner venue, Perkin’s Pantry. Proving enormously successful, with everyone sharing their work, this may turn into a monthly event.

Thursday 19 October
Lincolnshire Storytelling Circle held a storytelling event on Thursday evening where everyone was encouraged to participate.

Friday 20 October
Blackbird Flies Theatre Group ran two events as part of the festival. ‘Old and New’ invited people to make drawings inspired by Louth, linked to the National Big Draw initiative.

Blackbird Flies Theatre Group - 'Desert Island Adventure' used hand-made shadow puppets to depict a lively tale. A beautiful and innovative spectacle.

Karen Maitland ran a Short Story Writing workshop on Friday afternoon, “Excellent, informative and inspiring”.

Winner of the 2001 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, Kevin Crossley-Holland was our first Children’s Patron, launching the Children's Fringe. On Friday afternoon he talked to pupils from Kidgate and Lacey Gardens Primary Schools, followed by an interview for Nightingale Magazine by students at Monk’s Dyke Technology College, Louth and De Aston School, Market Rasen. On Saturday morning families thronged to Kevin’s booksigning at Spencer’s Bookshop

Saturday 21 October
Elliot Morley MP was interviewed by David Robinson OBE, Hon. Secretary of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, a fitting conclusion to the farming day.

The Book Fair was held in association with local writers' group 'Just Write'.

The Farmers Market was a fantastic draw, held in association with the FEAST festival.

Dr Mike Morgan had an exhibition of his collection of farming tools in the foyer of the Riverhead Theatre on Saturday morning.

Locally-based journalist Nick Louth ran a popoular ‘Freelancing for Money’ workshop on Saturday morning.

Saturday evening saw a specially commissioned piece of drama written by Sussex-based playwright Mark Hewitt, seen here rehearsing with Louth Playgoer’s actors Nicki Pocklington, Wayne Rogers, Luke Malding and Scott Royle.

David Waterson brought his collection of puppets, including cheeky Gus, to Louth Library’s Conoco Room, to entertain all the family on Saturday afternoon. “Wonderful. Children got to participate and listen to stories. Lots of fun”

Sunday 22 October
Pat Borthwick ran a Poetry Writing workshop on Sunday morning, “I haven’t enjoyed anything so much in a long time...“

As this year’s Poetry Judge Pat was also present at the Creative Writing Competition Presentation, seen here congratulating prize winner Malcolm Carson.

Novelist Margaret Dickinson was this year’s hardworking Festival Patron, seen here demonstrating her writing technique at the Festival’s Grand Finale, which was followed by a booksigning session in association with Spencer’s Bookshop.

The Festival came to a lively close with a Civic Reception hosted by the Chairman of East Lindsey District Council Cllr Taffinder, before the final performance of the week - Gabrielle Drake’s one-woman show as novelist Mrs Gaskell. “A tour de force”.