PLFA is the organization behind the Litfest. It provides the movers and shakers and workers who have the ideas and make things happen. PLFA has a Chairperson, a Secretary, a Treasurer – we have to have these so PLFA can have a bank account! – but otherwise it’s a very ‘flat’, non-hierarchical organization (this being Penzance we don’t have anything so dignified as a ‘committee’). So, as befits an organization with its roots very firmly in the community, all members can have a say and contribute their skills, whether as specialists or as ‘foot-soldiers’ – in the planning stages, in the run-up to the Festival, and during the Festival itself. 

Our meetings have been described as combining purposefulness and good humour, and indeed most people find them both stimulating and fun.

We are now recruiting members for the 2012 season. The way to join is to come to the meeting on May 23rd bringing a £10 note which you are prepared to surrender by way of a subscription. (The tenners all go to meeting the costs of putting on the Festival.) What you get for your money is the satisfaction of being part of a worthwhile enterprise and a friendly team, plus a complimentary ticket to the Welcome Party on July 25th. Terrific value, surely!

So do come to the PLFA AGM on May 23rd! We’ll be delighted to see you!

Their loyal customers will be heaving a huge sigh of relief that David and Barbara have found purchasers who will continue to run Books Plus as a bookshop. We extend the warmest of welcomes to James and Rachael Howorth, who have come to Penzance from Kidderminster. May they take Books Plus from strength to strength!

We’re also honoured to announce that Patrick has recently accepted our invitation to be the Literary Festival’s Patron. He’ll be giving the opening talk at this year’s Litfest, on Wednesday, July 25th, at 11am in The Acorn Theatre. As well as talking about and reading from his new book, he’ll be happy to answer questions from his audience.