The future of Keswick’s stellar literary festival hangs in the balance.
Words by the Water has attracted big name writers, politicians, comedians, poets and thousands of people since it was set up in 2001.
The 10-day event is usually held in the town’s Theatre by the Lake in spring.
It returned in March after a two-year break due to coronavirus, with big names incuding crime fiction queens Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves, ex-MP Vince Cable, Radio 4’s Today presenter Justin Webb and poet Roger McGough.
But now organiser Ways With Words released a statement saying it would no longer run events.
The organisation also ran literary festivals across the country.
It said: “Ways With Words, like many businesses and organisations in the last two-and-a-half years, has faced incredibly difficult challenges.
“Through the first year of COVID we were unable to run any festivals, and as events were allowed to run again we were only able to host limited audiences. From there the country has moved into an economic situation where households are facing difficult financial choices.
“As a small team, we have worked incredibly hard to keep Ways With Words going since 2020 but sadly we are no longer currently viable and we have had to make the decision to cease running events.”
Words by the Water president is Lord Melvyn Bragg.
It is unclear if Words by the Water will return in any form for 2023. Way With Words and Theatre by the Lake have been contacted for comment.
Yesterday, organisers of Keswick Mountain Festival announced they would be taking 2023 off.
