Celebration of local literature at Chorley library (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Celebration of local literature at Chorley library

5:02pm Tuesday 3rd November 2009 in

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Chorley literary sleuths are celebrating a summer discovering the county's written past as part of a national reading and literature project.

'Reading detectives' from Chorley Library have spent August and September exploring Lancashire's literary heritage and will be unveiling their discoveries at an event to be held at the library on Saturday, November 7.

Local dialect expert, Paul Salveson, and Blackburn born poet, Mark Ward, will be speaking on the day, whilst Stephen Miller, Reading Detectives team leader, will introduce the work of some of the team's favourite authors.

Other experts including librarians, historians and local literature specialists, who have been helping the reading detectives with their investigations, will also be present on the day.

The team have discovered a diverse range of literary gems this summer, ranging from apocalyptic novels set in the village of Wheelton to a Catholic poet from Preston addicted to opium.

At the event the top five list of favourite reads arising from their detective work will be announced along with a display about the authors and complimentary Lancashire tea and Chorley cakes.

The event will run from 1pm to 3pm at Chorley Library, Union Street.

The event is free to attend, but places must be booked by ringing the library on 01257 277222.

Stephen Miller, Chorley Library assistant and project team leader said: “The Reading Detectives project has been a real eye opener for me; it has been great to explore the depth of literary talent in Lancashire.

“I believe we have discovered some really brilliant and important writers who thoroughly deserve to be rescued from obscurity."

Sophie Wallace, Lancashire Reading Detectives team member, said: “ I was surprised how many excellent writers Lancashire has produced and I'm really proud to be creating new interest in some of the more forgotten gems.”

Lancashire was one of five teams across the country to take part in the project along with Derbyshire, Hampshire, Cumbria and Kent.