Wellbeing to make a splash at Festival of Words

Sunday 22 July 2018

Jersey will be welcoming literary and wellbeing stars, including a celebrity trainer whose clients include Harry Styles and Ellie Goulding, for its fourth Festival of Words.

The literary event, running from Wednesday 26 to Sunday 30 September, is aiming to bring writers of all genres to Jersey and showcase the island’s history and heritage.

This year, the Jersey Festival of Words is achieving both aims as Havre des Pas bathing pool has a “starring role” in the event. Best-selling authors Libby Page and Alexandra Heminsley will be “taking the plunge” at the pool to discuss the benefits of swimming on mental and physical health on Saturday 29 September.

Pictured: Bryony Gordon, author of 'Eat, Drink, Run.'

The island’s growing book festival will also feature Bryony Gordon, widely known columnist for the Telegraph and author of Eat, Drink, Run. Her book tells the inspiring story of how she trained for and completed the 2017 London Marathon, whilst battling OCD and addiction, and the “life-changing benefits” it brought to her overall wellbeing. Mrs Gordon will be interviewed by Ms Heminsley at the Opera House on Friday 28 September.

The sports and fitness theme is completed by a visit from celebrity trainer Faisal Abdalla, whose clients include Harry Styles and Ellie Goulding, will be running two fitness classes at Club Soulgenic. Mr Abdalla will also be signing his new book The PMA Method.

Tickets already starting to fly (glide?skim?) for our Sept 29 swimming event at @lidojersey with @Hemmo and @LibbyPageWrites https://t.co/0rZZp4a3WC @JLDSC #theislandbreak #jerseyci #leapin pic.twitter.com/i6HFUjSgPS

— JerseyWordFest (@JerseyWordFest) July 14, 2018

Jennifer Bridge, Chairman of the Festival, commented: “This year’s programme has something of a feel-good factor, with an emphasis on personal wellbeing and a number of featured books with uplifting themes. The sport and fitness titles are just part of that trend, and we are delighted to be able to use another of Jersey’s heritage venues at Havre des Pas.”