Festival will celebrate a poet’s life

A FESTIVAL is being staged to celebrate the life and times of a muchloved Peterborough poet.

The John Clare Society Festival is being staged in Helpston - the birthplace of the 18th century poet John Clare.

The festival will be held from July 13 through to and including July 15.

A spokesman for the festival organisers said: “We are appealing for as many people as possible to come and enjoy the lovely events that will be put on and which have taken much of the year to organise.”

Attractions will include the Midsummer cushions ceremony at St Botolph’s Church on July 13 starting at 1.30pm. The festival will be held in the grounds of John Clare Primary School.

The spokesman added: “Programmes with the full timetable will be available to buy in advance or on the day at a cost of £2 from John Clare’s Cottage or St. Botolph’s Church in Helpston. Details will be available at the society’s stall at the Peterborough Heritage Festival, held in the grounds of Peterborough Cathedral on June 23 and June 24.