The Althorp Literary Festival promises to be a summer event not to be missed. Taking place over the weekend of the 12th and 13th June 2010, the Festival presents an array of talks, readings and debates in some of the most beautiful rooms of Althorp House. Now in its 7th year, the Literary Festival continues to grow from strength to strength with some of the most well-known authors and personalities coming to Althorp to talk about their chosen topics, opinions and processes. The Althorp Literary Festival is an ideal opportunity to meet and listen to high profile authors, in the glorious setting of Althorp House and grounds, over a relaxing summer weekend.
Leading the programme of events is well known comedian, writer and QI panellist Alan Davies, who promises to provide an entertaining event. Joining him is the much loved travel writer, Bill Bryson, who will shed new light on the meaning of home in what promises to be a lively and engaging session. Actress, Loose Woman and author Lynda Bellingham will offer an intimate, witty, and at times moving session, as she shares extracts from her bestselling autobiography, Lost and Found, and biographer and historian Lady Antonia Fraser will be in conversation with Suzi Feay, in light of her new release Must You Go?, which provides an insight into her relationship with the late Harold Pinter.
Lord John Julius Norwich will provide a fascinating talk on the greatest cities in history, whilst respected Radio 4 presenter and Jenni Murray will be joining us, with an insight into her remarkable relationship with her mother, which is detailed in her widely acclaimed autobiography, Memoirs of a Not So Dutiful Daughter. Well loved actor Peter Bowles will be providing a lively session on his autobiography, Ask Me If I'm Happy, whilst award winning journalist and BBC Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler will provide an exciting discussion on his new release, Powerplay, which details the consequences of the UK and the USA’s ‘special relationship’ and what happens when it falls apart.
With the current situation in Iraq, we have appearances from cult figure Chris Hunter, bomb disposal expert and most wanted man on the Sunni and Shi’at hit list; award winning journalist and author Sam Kiley, alongside Patrick Hennessey, one of the Army’s youngest commanding officers. All three will provide exhilarating and heart wrenching talks, as they discuss what it really means to be part of the Army in the current climate.
History continues to be a major theme at the Festival, with established Russian historian Helen Rappaport detailing her fascinating discovery of a lost painting of the Crimean war nurse, Mary Seacole. In addition to Helen, Patrick Bishop, Saul David and Justin Pollard will provide an exhilarating debate on The Greatest Battle in History, whilst Gerald Dickens, the great, great grandson of the much loved Charles Dickens, will be offering some fantastic performances, looking at the life and works of the great author, devised from diary entries and memoirs of those who knew and worked with him.
Althorp provides the perfect setting for this wonderful event. Home to the Spencer family for 500 years, George John, the Second Earl Spencer, built up a library which was one of the finest private collections of books in Europe. The Literary Festival is entirely in keeping with the history and heritage of the House, and this wonderful summer event offers the chance to visit a beautiful historic home, whilst listening to varied and fascinating talks. Being only an hour from London, Cambridge, Oxford and Stratford upon Avon, the Festival is easily accessible by all.
