Wimbledon Bookfest (UK)

The Wimbledon Bookfest is now in its fifth year. It was started in 2006 by Tony Kane and Fiona Razvi, who wanted to raise cultural activity and awareness in Wimbledon. Working in the local media they were meeting many writers and authors, and had strong connections with the arts environment in the area. A team was formed with representatives from the arts and publishing sectors, including Polka Theatre, New Wimbledon Theatre, Merton Council, Wimbledon Guild, local bookshops and Time & Leisure magazine. A charity, Wimbledon Arts, was formed and a trust set up. Books were chosen as a vehicle for the arts with long terms plans of a more broad arts festival in the future. The team is almost entirely volunteer-based. We have only a small amount of admin support. The festival has grown, and we now have a specialised team of considerable size, and we have developed many community partnerships - 1-9 October, 2011, UK