SUSSEX-based playwright Mark Hewitt was in the area on Monday and Tuesday last week, visiting farmers in North Cockerington, Saltfleet and Gayton le Marsh, to hear about life working on the land.

Mark has been commissioned by East Lindsey District Council, the organisers of Wolds Words Festival to develop an original piece of theatre inspired by local people.

On his visit, Mark said that he’d noticed that nearly all the farmers are passionately concerned about key issues that affect this country: “There is a genuine love of the land; some of these families have been farming the same land since the mid Victorian era,” he said.

The Louth Playgoers Society is hosting the play, and Mark met with some talented young performers who are keen to develop their improvisation skills and create a theatre piece in a matter of days.

Wayne Rodgers, 17, who is one of the young performers, commented to Mark: “I’m looking forward to working on something local, something that affects us.”

This performance is a key component of a series of events taking place on Saturday, October 21, 2006, at the Riverhead Theatre as part of Wolds Words Festival. Entitled ‘Farming Today - And Tomorrow’, the day culminates in a visit by Elliot Morley MP who has been invited by David Robinson OBE, in his capacity as Hon. Secretary of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, to discuss some of the key issues affecting our agricultural economy.

For further information about this event, or to request a festival programme, please contact the Community Arts & Events Team on 08 446 601 111 or email artsdevelopment@e-lindsey.gov.uk

More information can be found here>>>