Along with the autumn colours [which have been spectacular this year] comes the perennial inspiration of the Ilkley Literature Festival. A beacon of joy as the year darkens, it has been my pleasure to host events for many years in and around the town.
This year I hosted Gareth Russell and his brilliant biography of James 1st of England, ‘Queen James’ in one of the halls of Ilkley Grammar School. I was also privileged to chair a panel event at the Parish Church with brilliant writers near the beginning of their careers, billed as John Murray Press: Proofs and Prosecco Party, where Aimée MacDonald, Lucie McKnight Hardy and Cailean Steed shared fascinating insights into their writing and reading lives.
I concluded my festival activities with an interview with Julie Becket, in the intimate Wildman Theatre, where our discussion about her book ‘The Archers Unseen’ was completely lit up by the best questions from the audience I can remember for a long time; it was like being a member of the very nicest and most civilised cult.
And then when my thoughts turned to my own writing and what I might write, I was asked if I had a poem that I could read at an AIDS quilt display in June 2026. And I realised I had never written about HIV and AIDS. And I absolutely have to.
I have said before that being asked to write something can often be the only spur one needs. When it comes to writing about the devastation of AIDS, I feel myself vibrating with the need to try and the need to get it as right as I can. I’ll let you know how it goes.
