The festival headliner was a friend and student of Causley’s back in the day and is delighted to be returning to Launceston on 31st May to launch the festival which runs to 3rd June.

” I get this warm blast from Cornwall whenever I think about the place ” said McGough recently “I’m looking forward to being there again, especially for the Causley Festival : Causley was like a big brother to me and I always felt he was one of the great poets”. McGough will be performing with LiTTLe MaCHiNe (no – it’s not the typesetter having a bad day, that is how they like it written) a band which has made a reputation stting well-known poetry to upbeat musical arrangements. In the past they have supported other poets – notably Carol Ann Duffy with whom they appeared at the Causley Festival four years ago. McGough is no newcomer to the music scene. As a member of the band The Scaffold (alongside Mike McGear – Paul McCartney’s brother) during the 60s, he had hits with Lily The Pink and The Aintree Iron.
South-west nature writer, Miriam Darlington, whose recently published ‘Owl Sense’ is already acclaimed by critics and readers alike (and was the subject of a recent Radio 4 Book of the Week), is also on the bill, as are the comedy foursome Sweet’n’Sour who headline on Saturday night.

The festival goes from strength to strength – it is now in its ninth year – and the weekend promises a rich mix of music, poetry, comedy, exhibitions and talks with a lively food and drink market in the town square. Artist and writer-led workshops in short-story writing, print-making and poetry offer lots of opportunity for participation and developing local talent. And there is also the chance to meet Diggory Piper – the wrost pirate ever!

The Charles Causley Festival runs from 31st May to 3rd June. Tickets on sale now: full details here