Bedfordshire Day Book Salon & Poetry Recital
An intimate county-wide celebration of local writing, community storytelling, family-friendly literacy activity and spoken word, curated through BedfordSHARE: Bedfordshire’s Poetry Together Campaign as part of Bedfordshire’s National Year of Reading journey.
Designed as a warm, welcoming literary gathering for readers, writers, families, community groups and spoken-word lovers from across the county, the day brings together books, voice, memory, movement and recital in one shared Bedfordshire celebration.
About the day
Held on 28 November 2026 in the Davis Suite at the Rufus Centre, the public programme will run in two distinct parts: a daytime book salon from 10:30am to 6:30pm and an evening poetry recital from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
During the day, visitors can explore a curated salon of local authors, small presses, community groups and family-friendly literary activity. In the evening, the space will become a more intimate seated poetry recital with live readings, spoken-word performance, networking and book-signing.
Date & hours
Location
“An intimate, county-wide celebration of local writing and spoken word — shaped by community and held with care.”
Take part in The Ballad of Bedfordshire
The evening recital includes a featured live sharing of The Ballad of Bedfordshire — a collective poem made from lines sent in by people who live here, work here, or simply carry a memory of this county with them.
Send one line about Bedfordshire before Saturday 31 October 2026 to bedfordshare@wordschoseme.com.
Daytime programme
A salon format with books, movement, story and wellbeing in conversation
Multicultural book fair — a carefully curated salon of Bedfordshire authors, small presses and community-rooted literary projects, with space for gentle browsing, conversation and discovery.
Storytelling & reading circles — warm, informal circles inviting readers, families and visitors to gather around spoken word, shared reading and local memory.
Manifest and Move — spoken-word affirmations accompanied by music and Kemetic-yoga-inspired movement, designed to unite literacy, breath, embodiment and confidence.
The WordWell Corner — a dedicated space where poetry, literacy and holistic wellness meet — promoting healing, reflection, personal growth and community connection through the power of words.
Evening recital
As dusk falls, the salon becomes a recital room
The evening event will be a seated poetry recital for around 50 guests, designed to spotlight Bedfordshire voices and create a more intimate listening experience. Readings and spoken-word performances will foreground writers and performers from across the county, especially those too often under-represented in literary spaces.
- Live readings and spoken-word performances.
- A featured sharing of the community-created Ballad of Bedfordshire.
- Networking, conversation and gentle book-signing opportunities.
Who it is for
Readers, families, writers, groups and curious guests
- Bedfordshire authors and emerging writers.
- Small presses and community-led literary initiatives.
- Families looking for creative, welcoming literacy activity.
- Readers interested in local culture, story and spoken word.
- Partners, networks and organisations supporting community voice.
Held through BedfordSHARE
A county event rooted in literacy, story and belonging
Curated through BedfordSHARE: Bedfordshire’s Poetry Together Campaign and delivered by NINE RED Presents… (CIC) and Bedfordshire’s Poetry Champion, the day forms part of Bedfordshire’s wider literacy and community storytelling journey.
It creates space for local voices to be heard, shared and remembered across books, recital, conversation and collective memory.
Flow of the day
10:30am–12:00pm
Salon opens. Guests arrive into the book salon, browse stalls, meet exhibitors and settle into the day.
12:00pm–4:30pm
Reading circles, WordWell and conversations. Community-led sessions, family-friendly engagement and gentle literary wellness activity unfold across the afternoon.
4:30pm–6:30pm
Closing daytime programme. Final salon conversations, reflective moments, spoken-word activity and a gentle close to the daytime gathering.
7:30pm–9:30pm
Poetry recital. Seated performances, the Ballad of Bedfordshire feature, networking and book-signing.
The recital is conceived not as a loud showcase, but as a beautiful listening space: seated, curated, welcoming and rooted in Bedfordshire’s stories.
Venue
The Bedfordshire Day Book Salon & Poetry Recital will take place in the Davis Suite at the Rufus Centre, a flexible venue that can comfortably host both the daytime salon atmosphere and the evening seated recital.
Address: The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1AH.