A special literary and spoken word event will take place in Hexham this weekend to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the world’s first public railway.
Local author David Williams is set to relaunch his acclaimed historical novel, Mr Stephenson’s Regret, during an afternoon gathering on Saturday, May 24, at the County Hotel in Hexham. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. and is free to attend.
The novel explores the lives of George Stephenson, the Wylam-born railway pioneer, and his son Robert Stephenson, both of whom played pivotal roles in the development of the modern railway system.
“It’s nice to have the launch in the place I live, particularly when it involves others,” said Williams. “My son, Joe, hosts a regular spoken word event called Words on the Wall, and he has kindly agreed to host and incorporate an open-mic element to the launch.”
Alongside readings from the novel, the event will feature an open-mic session welcoming contributions related to railways, heroes, or heritage. Attendees are encouraged to participate with poetry, prose, or song. No prior registration is required; participants can notify the host upon arrival.
The relaunch forms part of the wider celebration of railway heritage in the region, acknowledging the legacy of George Stephenson, often referred to as the “Father of Railways.”
For more information, attendees can visit the venue directly or follow updates from the Words on the Wall spoken word series.
