Front page of Shrewsbury ChronicleCelebration Time For Local Playwright With Arts Council FundingA local poet and solicitor is performing on Sunday 25th July in Mile of Smiles to spread some much-needed cheer after the planned final easing of lockdown on 19th July. Ian Henery is taking part in the free family festival in Shrewsbury in the region`s first big event to raise money for charity. The free event has been made possible with funding from the Government`s Culture Recovery Fund. Performers and acts will be dotted throughout the town and will be tasked to create a mile of smiles for charity from the Castle to Quarry Park where local acts, theatre groups and musicians will be performing on a live stage with street food on offer. “I am proud to be taking part” explained Ian “because not only will this event generate some long-awaited fun for the public but it also supports entertainers who have had a challenging time during the coronavirus pandemic. There is a real mix of entertainers from stilt walkers, bubble makers, acrobatics, live music, poetry and musicians. The event is all about celebrating culture and bringing the fun back”. Ian`s latest poetry collection is called Poems of Hope, published by Kates Hill Press and was launched online at the Wolverhampton Literature Festival in February and streamed during the Festival. Ian used the event to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust who also streamed the event around the UK. The charity is Climbing Out which helps people rebuild their confidence and motivation following a life-changing trauma, injury or illness. “We felt that this was particularly relevant” said Ian “as we are all trying to find a way forward after the coronavirus pandemic.” For more information visit the website mileofsmiles.co.uk
