Discover Britain’s rich history with Andrew Marr and Jenni Murray
AnDREW Marr will appear at the country’s only dedicated history festival this summer alongside Women’s Hour presenter Dame Jenni Murray and gardening guru Monty Don.
Marr will speak about modern Britain, with its idealism, hopes, achievements, failures and obsession with celebrity.
His vivid overview of political history from 1945 to present will be part of a week of talks and historical re-enactments at the Chalke Valley History Festival, sponsored by the Daily Mail.
Dame Jenni will speak about the history of Britain through the achievements of 21 women, including queens, artists, writers, scientists and activists, whose actions revolutionised the world.
Meanwhile Don, a columnist for the Mail’s Weekend magazine, will discuss the history of British gardens.
Some of the country’s most revered historians, politicians, musicians and journalists will address the festival, which has a new venue at Church Bottom, Broad Chalke, in Wiltshire, and runs from June 26 to July 2.
Among them will be First World War historian Lyn MacDonald, award-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice, former leader of the opposition Harriet Harman and former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind. The origins of the terms ‘genocide’ and ‘crimes against humanity’ will be discussed by historian and law professor Philippe Sands, while photojournalist Don McCullin will be in conversation with Max Hastings.
The festival will also see talks from Miroslaw obstarczyk, one of the curators of Auschwitz, and niklas Frank, Hitler’s godson, as well as Second World War veterans and Knight’s Cross winners Hugo Broch and gunter Halm.
Known for its spectacular reenactments, the festival this year commemorates the 100th anniversary of the First World War battles of Vimy Ridge, Arras and Passchendaele.
There will be a major immersive experience where ‘recruits’ can take part in a training camp similar to those used by those training for war. Festival-goers can also visit a new trench experience where they enter as a fly-on-thewall spectator as historians enact scenarios from 1917.
This year’s festival will also commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen.
At the end of the week there will be a Blitz-themed party with live music from the Bombshell Belles, while air displays will take place on July 1 and 2 with some of the most beautiful aircraft from the Second World War.
James Holland, co-chairman of the festival, said: ‘We’ve got another very broad programme both in terms of talks and discussions as well as a vast array of living history at our exciting new venue in one of the most beautiful corners of England.
‘Celebrated academics and household names will be sharing the spotlight with incredible historic aircraft and some of the very best living historians in the country. It’s a salivating prospect.’
‘Revolutionised the world’