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.
A county-wide celebration of books, voice and belonging.
Bedfordshire Day Book Salon & Poetry Recital is designed as a warm, welcoming literary gathering for readers, writers, families, community groups and spoken-word lovers from across the county.
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.
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 — creating space for local voices to be heard, shared and remembered.
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.
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.
“An intimate, county-wide celebration of local writing and spoken word — shaped by community and held with care.”
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 in the Davis Suite at the Rufus Centre.
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.