Calling all bibliophiles — book early for Henley
IT’S book lovers’ favourite time of year again, as we prepare for the fantastic henley Literary Festival — and the best news is that, from today, Daily Mail readers can get tickets to the hottest events before anyone else.
The Festival, which has 170 different events for adults and children, runs from Saturday, September 28, to Sunday, October 6, in the beautiful riverside Oxfordshire town. Tickets go on sale next week and many events are likely to sell out in the first few hours, so this is your opportunity to jump the queue.
Prime Minister Theresa May, actor David Suchet (far right), broadcaster Michael Parkinson, bakers Mary Berry (right) and Prue Leith, journalist Kirsty Wark, TV presenters John Craven and Dom Joly, lyricist Tim Rice, historian Kate Williams and comedian Paul Merton are among the stellar line-up.
Literary names at the Baillie Gifford-sponsored festival, which is supported by the Mail, include Kate Atkinson, Robert harris, Rachel hore, D.J. Taylor, Victoria hislop, Melvyn Bragg and Sara Collins. There’ll also be the unique opportunity to see Jojo Moyes and David Nicholls together on stage discussing their careers and inspirations for their new novels.
Budding authors can attend panels where they can get tips on how to write a gripping thriller and how to get published.
Alongside Mrs May, politics is covered by Margaret Thatcher’s private secretary Caroline Slocock, former Labour home secretary Jack Straw, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg and No 10 Downing Street’s first ever Researcher in Residence, Jack Brown.
Cricket fans celebrating england’s extraordinary World Cup victory will be bowled over by england stars Sir Alastair Cook, Derek Pringle, Monty Panesar and the voice of cricket himself, henry Blofeld, and foodies are in for a real treat with not one, but three, Bake Off stars in the form of Mary Berry, Prue Leith and Nadiya hussain.
Two former Blue Peter presenters will be at the festival: Konnie huq with her first children’s book and Janet ellis with her second novel. They’ll be joined by leading experts in the fields of science, education and history: Alison
Weir, Max Hastings and Professor Steve Jones.
Those who enjoy a glass (or two) of wine can meet Tony Laithwaite of Laithwaite’s Wine, who will be delighting audiences with tales of how he turned his passion project into the number one homedelivery wine merchants. Or sip a glass of Mr Hobbs Gin with Saturday Kitchen wine expert Olly Smith, who will be talking cocktails and mocktails. The more genteel can find out how the Countess of Carnarvon celebrates Christmas at Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey). There’s plenty for children with a line-up featuring former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell, McFly’s Dougie Poynter and lots of fantabulous fun with Roald Dahl’s Word Wizards, the Harry Potter show, and drawing and storytime with Elmer the patchwork elephant and Dennis The Menace. Plus family fun with the maths whizz Johnny Ball. The Baillie Gifford Festival Hub will play host to talks on fashion, diet, The Beatles, children’s storytime and activities, and a very special parenting panel featuring blogger The Unmumsy Mum. You can even pop in and get your hands on the best brownies in the world from the Gower Cottage Brownies stall.
Or take to the river on the Hibernia, a unique festival venue which sails along The Thames as book lovers listen to readings, new authors and poetry.
So get in first! Tickets for the festival go on sale on Monday, July 22, but Daily Mail readers can beat the Monday rush and take advantage of priority booking with our exclusive offer — see Page 50 for details.