Lemn Sissay, Ben Mellor, Dominic Berry and Monkey Poet are among the headline poetry acts at Leigh and Wigan Words Together literary festival from 1-13 April, which announced its programme earlier this week.  In his programme foreword, chairman Michael Hunt said: “This year’s landmark 10th anniversary festival has a more grassroots, community focus with reduced resources and funding. This, though, has not affected the quality of events.” As part of the grassroots atmosphere, local creative writing groups have their own events, and there are new venues, such as the Cadence cafe in Tyldesley. Lemn Sissay will be appearing at the Mill at the Pier, the new Academy of Live and Recorded Arts venue that at one time, as Michael Hunt said, “seemed destined to close forever”. Full details 

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This year marks the centenary of the birth of Welsh poet RS Thomas. To celebrate his life and works, national and regional arts organisations in Wales are hosting a series of events and projects that begin this month, and run until 31 March 2014. More details 

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There will be an “east meets west” fusion of south Asian percussion rhythms and contemporary rap when Inder Goldfinger and his son Raj Silverfinger perform at Dewsbury town hall on Thursday 14 March. Before the performance Inder and Raj will have been working with young people from Kirklees College to create a series of short poems and songs, set to rap beats. Visual artist Sara Bevan will also turn the poetry into art pieces ready to be exhibited at the free town hall event, which is from 1.30-3pm, with an introductory talk and Q&A. 

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An independent publishers' fair, with bookstalls, readings, book launches, performances, workshops, and magazines will take place at Leicester’s De Montfort University on Saturday 16 March, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. More details