GAWIE’s 2025 Festival – 10th to 12th October 2025
Edging Towards Winter: A Festival of Togetherness & Transformation
Heroes and Fools as the temperature falls and Winter beckons – our Folklore
Who would gather when the cold is taking over,
when jack frost taps on your shoulder?
Who would gather in the nick of time,
to bring stories, poems, a chorus of rhyme?
Why, only the heroes
And the hearty fools
For this Seasonal celebration you should come too.
Our path this year is Edging Towards Winter:Â Â A Festival of Togetherness & Transformation and we are looking at how this is the time we need Heroes and Fools to help us through the harsh northern winter months. In addition, there will be a wealth of other traditional seasonal tales and poems.
In the days of old, as the evening sky darkened ever earlier and the home fires were lit folk would spend some of these times creating and telling stories amongst themselves, many of which linger to this day. Whilst the climate became more hostile, folk were bought together and would transform the cruel nights with tales of heroes, fools and sometimes villains. Amongst these post-autumn-equinox myths and tales are a myriad of “Jack” stories that are part of our folklore.
Jack is the eponymous name given to a hero, fool or villain – think of Jack and the Beanstalk or Springheeled Jack for instance. Is Jack Frost a hero, a fool? Cold and generally unwelcome, he sterilises the soil of disease and parasites, and makes beautiful art on windows before the winter sun melts his ephemeral patterns in the day.
In addition to the theme, there will be a wide variety of other tales and poems, so, whatever you do, DON’T MISS THE FESTIVAL!
About Get A Word In Edgeways
Why are we called what we are? Well, its simple really, we are a festival of words, be it poetry, strorytelling and folklore. Much Wenlock is the town after which is named Wenlock Edge, a limestone escarpment over 19 miles (31 km) long, running southwest to northeast between Craven Arms and Much Wenlock. The deciduous woodland which runs along it covers much of the steep slopes of the escarpment and in parts it is very well preserved.
Events
Our festival, Much Wenlock’s only storytelling festival, holds events during the day and in the evenings and is held in various venues in our small town. All venues are within easy walkable distance from each other for most people. Some evening events will be adults-only, the remainder being family-friendly. Within and across the town, there are pop-up events, too.
Location – Much Wenlock
The festival takes place in the beautiful Shropshire town of Much Wenlock, which lies on the stunning limestone ridge of Wenlock Edge.
The 2025 festival will again be held within the town itself in various venues. You may book some specific events without a day or weekend ticket which will show which ones. An e-ticket sent to you to show the Steward at the door. Day or weekenders need a wristband collected from the box office. Entry to an event is mostly on a ticket/wristband-only basis.
Staying Locally
There are plenty of places to stay in Much Wenlock, and nearby camping sites. Further afield are Shrewsbury, Telford and Bridgnorth
Eating & Drinking In Much Wenlock
There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Much Wenlock, and many more in the surrounding area
Getting to Much Wenlock
Click here to be taken to Visit Much Wenlock’s directions
The nearest train stations are at Telford Central and Shrewsbury. Both are about a 20-minute taxi ride away.
Car parking in Much Wenlock
Getting around Much Wenlock
Much Wenlock is an ancient town but very accessible.
FAQ more about booking, dogs, and other things
