There was poetry in a phone box, political punditry in the library, and rocking in the church as Crouch End pulled off a three day lit fest with full houses at many events.

Speakers included Muswell Hill-based TV political editor Robert Peston, Ghosts and Wonka star Matt Baynton, novelist Linda Grant, and film critic Peter Bradshaw, with many of the 22 events either low cost or free.

Festival-goer David Winskill said: "It was a resounding success with packed houses at many events. Organisers put together a diverse programme that attracted people from the age of four to 84!"

Ham & High: Ghosts star Matt Baynton was in conversation with The Guardian's film critic Peter Bradshaw at Hornsey LibraryGhosts star Matt Baynton was in conversation with The Guardian's film critic Peter Bradshaw at Hornsey Library (Image: David Winskill)

Run by Crouch Enders Dave Cohen and Chris Arnold, the festival saw the entire community rally round with support from Crouch End Festival stalwarts, Amanda Carrara and Chris Currer and on-the-day help from the Friends of Hornsey Library and Hornsey Library staff.

Events took place at eight venues - Wurds + Music turned the surroundings of Holy Innocents Church in Tottenham Lane into a club night where musicians from the London fringe scene improvised to spoken words.

Ham & High: Alan Wolfson and Carl Heaps performed poetry in the phone box on the green in front of Hornsey Town HallAlan Wolfson and Carl Heaps performed poetry in the phone box on the green in front of Hornsey Town Hall (Image: David Winskill)

David Winskill said: "The atmosphere in the impressive, rave/club-like surroundings of the church was electric as poets and musicians thrown together as strangers became creative partners working to produce some excellent and ambitious pieces."

Local MP Catherine West said it was "every politician's Christmas present to turn the tables!" as she hosted a discussion between political pundits Steve Richards and Robert Peston. there were lively and challenging questions, from an engaged audience of 100.

Ham & High: Local MP Catherine West said it was every politician's Christmas present to turn the tables on political pundits Robert Peston and Steve RichardsLocal MP Catherine West said it was every politician's Christmas present to turn the tables on political pundits Robert Peston and Steve Richards (Image: David Winskill)

Author talks and How to Write a Novel sessions included a full house for Grant, who was interviewed by Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw, and a touchingly intimate talk by Alexis Keir, author of the Windward Family, who described his family's strong North London connections.

Arnold, who is also co-founder of the summer Crouch End Festival, had said he didn't want it to be one of those "stuffy old festivals but a dynamic, creative one.” 

Ham & High: Wurds Music in Holy Innocents Church paired up spoken word poets with musicians to create improvised performancesWurds Music in Holy Innocents Church paired up spoken word poets with musicians to create improvised performances (Image: David Winskill)

"I think it’s fair to say, even for a pilot event, it has been very successful and reinforces the role of Hornsey library as a centre of our cultural community," he said.

"Dave Cohen’s workshops on comedy writing and self publishing were a big favourite, it seems most of Crouch End want to be writers! and Poets in a Phone Box saw Alan Wolfson and Carl Heaps performing in London’s smallest poetry venue - the phone box by the green.

Ham & High: Festival co-organiser Chris Arnold plays with son Alex at the Wurds Music eventFestival co-organiser Chris Arnold plays with son Alex at the Wurds Music event (Image: David Winskill)

"WURDS+MUSIC saw us push the boundaries, inviting poets to pair with musicians, who improvised to their spoken words. It was an amazing evening  of creativity.

"Overall, we did a literary festival in the Crouch End way, fun, fantastic, fascinating and a bit frivolous."