TRIBUTES have poured in for Tanya Bruce-Lockhart, former director of Beaminster Festival and founder and director of Bridport Literary Festival, who died suddenly on Saturday 5th April at the age of 81.

A familiar and much-loved figure in both Bridport and Beaminster, Tanya had been at the heart of cultural life in West Dorset since moving to the area in 2000. Over two decades, she transformed BridLit into a nationally respected festival and played a central role in raising the region’s cultural profile.

Tanya began her working life in independent television, including spells as a researcher at London Weekend Television on chat shows with David Frost and Frank Muir. She later became a producer of arts documentaries for Granada, worked at the BBC, and was closely associated with The South Bank Show, collaborating with Melvyn Bragg. Her professional background gave her a natural instinct for finding stories—and storytellers—that would resonate with audiences.

In 2004, she was appointed director of the Beaminster Festival for Music and the Arts. Under her leadership, the festival broadened its scope, increased attendance and began attracting high-profile performers from across the UK and abroad. That same year, she joined forces with Mark Culme-Seymour (Eype Church Centre for the Arts) and Chris Huxley (Bridport Arts Centre) to launch the Bridport Literary Festival – now known as BridLit.

With local sponsorship from Venetia Ross Skinner and a determination to bring writers and readers together, Tanya built BridLit from the ground up. From humble beginnings, it became an annual fixture, drawing established and rising star writers and audiences from across the country, bringing a welcome cultural and economic boost to the town each November. This year would have been the festival’s 21st year—and Tanya’s 21st as its director.

“Tanya was such a dynamic force whose skill, hard work and relentless enthusiasm shaped the festival from the outset,” said BridLit chairman Nick Child. “She made it a highlight in the literary calendar both nationally and locally. We are all so very shocked and saddened, and our thoughts are with Tanya’s family and friends at this time.”

Chris Huxley, former director of Bridport Arts Centre, said: “Tanya was one of a kind. Her energy, drive and enthusiasm made Bridlit into one of the most respected literary festivals in the UK. Tanya’s sharp wit and dedication to West Dorset will be much missed.”

Tanya believed passionately in access to literature. She ensured the festival supported Read Easy for adult literacy and led outreach work that brought authors into local schools. Over two decades, she hosted nearly 600 writers in Bridport, always ensuring they were welcomed warmly, their books signed and conversations had. Festival week would see Tanya dashing between venues, books under one arm, programme in the other … her energy was seemingly limitless.

BridLit became a registered charity in 2012, but its enduring success is rooted in Tanya’s vision, determination and sheer refusal to take no for an answer. Literary festivals were relatively rare when she began, and many of today’s flourishing local events owe something to the path she helped forge.

She is survived by her son Jamie, who lives in Marshwood. A private funeral will take place on 1st May 2025. The family has asked for donations in lieu of flowers to be made to Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard (www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org).

Tanya Bruce-Lockhart brought authors and audiences together in joyful celebration of books and ideas. Writers and readers have lost a champion. West Dorset has lost a cultural leader. And those who knew her have lost a dear and spirited friend.

Personal memories

When David Bowie died in January 2017, it was announced on the day I was due to meet Tanya for coffee in Beaminster for a general catch-up. But Bowie’s death swept other considerations off the table. Tanya, as a BBC producer, had given him an early television appearance and had kept in touch with him for many years.

Gay, my co-editor at Fine Times Recorder, had also known the legendary star in his early years. Both were devastated by the loss of a creative icon whom they had both loved, and who had touched so many lives in so many different ways.

We both knew Tanya for many years, first at Beaminster Festival and then at Bridport Literary Festival. I also worked with her on the board of Dorset Visual Arts for some years. Her encyclopaedic knowledge, informed opinions, energy and sense of humour were wonderful. She was hugely good company.

And on a personal note, we were very grateful to her, when we published our book Deepest Dorset, in 2016. She gave us a BridLit event at the Symondsbury Tithe Barn, in conversation with James Crowden, followed by a Dorset cream tea. It was a marvellous event and we sold a lot of books!

Thank you Tanya, for your creativity, vision and energy.