Who's who?

Festival Team

Amanda Dackombe, Director

Amanda Dackombe moved to Faversham from London in 2016 and works from home. She has a PhD in English Literature from University of London and works as a freelance editor, with many years' experience working on fiction, non-fiction and academic titles for publishing houses and individuals. She has taught English literature at University of London and Univ. of Westminster and as visiting lecturer at Univ. of Southampton.

Festival Programme Planning; Author Bookings; Website Design & Content; Publicity Material & Newsletter; Communications; Budget email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Louise Frith, Volunteers Manager

Louise Frith grew up in Kent. Having spent 10 years away studying and travelling, she returned to Faversham in 2001 to bring up her family. She now works at the University of Kent as an Academic Skills Tutor. Louise has written articles and presented conference papers on academic literacy. She has written two text books, 'Professional Writing for Social Workers' and 'The Students' Guide to Peer Mentoring'.

Volunteer/Steward Management; Schools' Liaison email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stella Fry, Children's Events Manager

Stella and her family relocated to Faversham from South East London in 2000, moving into a house just a few streets away from the childhood home of her great grandmother. A graduate of Sussex University (BA / MA), Stella is a former charity fundraiser (Nacro), a qualified teacher and is currently working as an LSA, Art & Design Coordinator and tutor at a junior school in Whitstable. Her first picture book, Grandpa’s Garden, published by Barefoot Books and illustrated by Sheila Moxley, has sold more than 23,000 copies in the UK and US. An enthusiastic teller of tales, Away With Words is Stella's story-telling enterprise intended to nourish children’s delight in words.

Set-up and Co-ordination of Children's Events Short Story Judge – Children's Competitions

Hugh Ribbans, Graphics

Hugh Ribbans was born in Faversham and trained at Canterbury College of Art. After a career in London as a graphic designer he returned to Kent to spend time printmaking on his old Columbian press (circa 1860). He produces linocuts and woodcuts. His subject matter can be images of animals and birds or people and places seen when travelling. He has been described as having an obsession with line and he looks for patterns in the cutting whilst still producing representational images. He has exhibited at the Barbican Gallery, the National Theatre, the National Print Exhibition, the Printmakers Council Open, The Society of Wood Engravers, the Society of Wildlife Artists, the Fry Gallery and the Affordable Artfair.

Graphic Design & Artwork http://hughribbans.com

If you are interested in helping the festival as a volunteer please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.