ANTHOLOGY LAUNCH
Fri 20th February, 7:00pm
Welcome the 3rd Chapel FM Anthology, and the 10th Writing On Air festival, across threshold with a fabulous night of poetry and music.
Writing On Air 2026
Writing On Air, now in its 10th year, is a festival of words and ideas broadcast on East Leeds Community Radio from Chapel FM Arts Centre.
When & where
- FromFri 20th Feb '26, 7:00pm
- UntilSun 1st Mar '26, 6:00pm
- WhereChapel FM Arts Centre Map
Tickets
- TypeLots of events on various days
- CostFree event!
Accessibility criteria*
- Accessible car-parking
- Induction Loop available
- Wheelchair access
* Other Access Details available on request
This years theme is on Thresholds
Entry and exit points, moments of transition, transformation.
The point at which change starts to occur.
Doors, portals, liminal spaces in-between.
Gatekeepers.
Membranes.
Passing places.
Lots of Live Broadcasts, Events and Workshops over 2 packed extended weekends
WORKSHOP: THE SEA, THE SEA
Sat 21st February, 11:00am
Hannah Stone and Clare Wigzell dig deep in the liminal and littoral with writing prompts from poetry and lived experiences.
WHEN POETRY TAKES WING
Sat 21st February, 2:00pm
Hannah Stone explores the threshold between poem and song as alumni from Leeds Song read poems and discuss the craft of writing for composers.
THE WAKE
Sat 21st February, 3:30pm
Thirty years Thirty years after leaving school a group of forty-somethings undertake a walk across the North Yorks Moors. But who is with them? Live drama reading by Aberford Authors Drama Collective.
SHOT THE LOT
Sat 21st February, 4:30pm
A dairy farmer in despair. Lost everything. Chris Berry reads his own story written in 2020 when the milk price was well below production cost.
THE ACCIDENT
Sat 21st February, 5:00pm
Car in a ditch. In this mystery thriller, each passenger has a different version of events. Who's telling lies? Live drama reading from Aberford Authors Drama Collective.
GRIDLOCK
Sat 21st February, 7:00pm
Tallulah Howarth and Carrieanne Vivianette explore the threshold between poetry and sound in this live reading of Tallulah’s grid poems.
WHAT IS OUR LANGUAGE OF NOW?
Sat 21st February, 7:30pm
Anne Caldwell presents two award winning short films and launches her new collection of prose poetry from Valley Press.
WORKSHOP: TALKING SCRIPTS
Sun 22nd February, 11:00am
Charlotte Carrick leads a workshop introducing participants to the fundamentals of screenwriting
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Sun 22nd February, 1:00pm
If we are the sum of our parts, what becomes of the pieces we leave behind? Live performance from Huw Parlor.
AFTERNOON TEA
Sun 22nd February, 1:30pm
Afternoon tea is important to Angie Smiles, but not because of the food. Live sketch.
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD
Sun 22nd February, 1:45pm
In Michael Hassell’s comedy, three engaged couples try to win their Dream Wedding on a TV Gameshow. Will anyone make it to the altar? Live drama reading.
RIGHT HERE WITH YOU
Sun 22nd February, 3:00pm
Live drama from Dales Ball that welcomes you into a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and cherished in their own neighbourhood.
STRAW INTO GOLD
Sun 22nd February, 3:45pm
How do you spin straw into gold? What is gold anyway? Live storytelling and song with Vickie Orton and Carol Timlin.
BEOWULF
Sun 22nd February, 4:45pm
Four storytellers. One ancient tale. A thousand interpretations. Live theatre performance of this thrilling, darkly comic retelling from Treadlight Theatre
THE BIG PUB QUIZ
Sun 22nd February, 6:00pm
Enjoy a drink at the end of the day whilst tackling fun threshold questions, solo or in a team. Free entry and a prize for the winner.
LEEDS-LILLE
Thu 26th February, 6:00pm
Young radio makers from Chapel FM's Next Generation share stories and sounds from their recent trip to Seacroft's twin community of Moulins in Lille, France.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
Thu 26th February, 7:00pm
The Stone Soup performance group returns for a show about life past, present and future told through song, stories and conversation.
STORIES FROM THE SOFA
Thu 26th February, 8:15pm
A candlelit weave of tales and myths from storytellers Ruth Steinberg, Vickie Orton and Matthew Bellwood.
GRADE OF EXECUTION
Fri 27th February, 6:30pm
As a change in admin brings up Enriquez’s past, how much will he risk for his 3rd consecutive Olympic gold? Live drama reading from Catherine Shonack.
THE LINES BETWEEN
Fri 27th February, 7:30pm
Rise & Howl presents four short plays interwoven with poetry, exploring the moments that shapeshift, and connect us.
THIS PLACE, TO ALL PLACES LINKED: JOURNEYING WITH DANTE
Fri 27th February, 9:00pm
Poet Kimberly Campanello leads a journey through her new version of Dante’s Divine Comedy, based on her experience of Parkinson’s disease.
WORKSHOP: HAIKU
Sat 28th February, 11:00am
Award-winning writer and poet Todd Murphy shows how the techniques and discipline of haiku can sharpen writing of any kind.
TOWER OF SONG
Sat 28th February, 4:00pm
Live music with regulars of this themed night for songwriters who turn their talents to Threshold, with Nicky Bray and Carl Flattery
CLEAR OUT YOUR CLOSET
Sat 28th February, 7:30pm
Join the local and international COYC poets for a vibetastic evening of poetry, performance and lots of soul, hosted by Julie Jones.
WORKSHOP: WRITING SPACES
Sun 1st March, 11:00am
Faye Marshall leads a session inspired by Gaston Bachelard’s The Poetics of Space. Explore the relationship between physical space and emotional memory to create new poetry.
WORKSHOP: IN TANDEM
Sun 1st March, 1:00pm
Musician Martin Berger and storyteller Ruth Steinberg lead an improvisation session with words and music
A CHILD DRAWS A BUTTERFLY IN THE SAND SCAR
Sun 1st March, 2:30pm
Ruth Steinberg, storyweaver, and sound artist Martin Berger, in a performance that combines words with sounds.
EATING HISTORY, 1938-46
Sun 1st March, 3:30pm
More stories from Len Biran about a world in turmoil. But you have to eat! Live storytelling in the radio theatre
DANCE FOR RADIO
Sun 1st March, 4:30pm
Musician Martin Berger, poet Peter Spafford, and dancers Rachel Dean and Anthony Haddon make the improbable possible
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