Looking forward to history events
There is a host of history events at this year’s Books by the Beach including talks on King John, Waterloo and the Victorians.
Such a wide-range of subjects is helping ticket sales for the event – which runs between Thursday April 16 and Sunday April 19 – reach new heights.
“Ticket sales remain nice and steady,” said Heather French, co-director of BooksBy The Beach.
“It’s so pleasing that there are people keen to see such a wide range of events.”
Particularly pleasing to her co-director Peter Guttridge is the interest in the historical events. “I’m a history buff and I’m so pleased we’re able to present events about Magna Carta, Waterloo and the Victorians,” he said.
What particularly interests Guttridge is Mail journalist Simon Heffer’ss take on the Victorians.
“Heffer is such an opinionated journalist I’m intrigued to know what his take on the Victorian era is going to be,” said Peter. “I assume he’ll recognise its incredible entrepreneurial flair.”
High Minds – The Victo- rians on Saturday April 18 at 5pm.
Marc Morris, who will be talking to military historian Allan Mallinson about King John and the Road To Magna Carta, is familiar with investigating monarchs with a ‘mixed’ reputation.
His A Great and Terrible King looked at the life of King Edward I, the Hammer of the Scots but also one of England’s greatest lawmakers. So what will he conclude about King John, a cartoon villain in Robin Hood but perhaps a capable ruler cursed by ill luck?
His event is on Thursday April 16 at 3pm.
As for Waterloo, what more is there to say? “A lot,” said Allan Mallinson, historical novelist and military historian, who will be discussing the battle with Tim Clayton.
“Each new generation looks at the past in a different way, whether it is politics or battles. There is no one history,” said Allan.
Marc Morris presents King John and the Road to Magna Carta at Scarborough Library.
The presenter of the television series Castles will be discussing king and his links to Scarborough.
Scarborough Library Concert Room is the setting for the event on Friday April 17 at 10am.
Crime is also a theme of Books by the Beach with writers including SJ Watson, Erin Kelly, David Hewson, Val MacDermid and Sophie Hannah set to attend.
There is an extra event with Alexander McCall Smith at the Palm Court Hotel on Wednesday April 29.
Former MPs Alan Johnson and Ann Widdecombe are also on the bill with ‘queen of the high street’ Mary Portas, film critic Barry Norman and comedian Omid Djalili also among the star guests.
Tickets for all events are available from the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.