The eleventh Chorleywood LitFest starts this month (kicking off on Wed 12 Oct) and the programme is more condensed.
The annual event organised by Chorleywood Bookshop is acknowledged to be one of the best festivals of its kind in the country, with inspirational speakers bringing book related entertainment to Chorleywood.
“We try to make things better every year.” says Bookshop Owner Sheryl Shurville, “Following customer feedback we decided to bring the Festival forward so evenings are lighter. We are running most events at The Junction, Christ Church this year which has ample parking and easy access. ”
As ever there are a few A list names on the programme including BBC broadcaster John Simpson. The favourite foreign correspondent had his own drama a few weeks ago when a chain of events caused him to go into acute allergic shock and emergency treatment at Oxford’s John Radliffe hospital. Now fully recovered he heads our way on Saturday 15 October to headline the day’s programme, He will be talking about his new book We chose to speak of War and Strife which brings us the pivotal moments in our history – from the Crimean War to Vietnam and Sarajevo – through the eyes of witnesses, plus his tales of reporting including frontline experiences.
The Reverend Richard Coles of Radio 4 fame hosts the Friday evening talk. He is the only Church of England Vicar to have a number one hit with the Communards ( Don’t leave me this way). After the band split in 1988, Richard read theology at King’s College before being ordained as a curate in Lincolnshire and Knightsbridge.
Expect an entertaining and intriguing night.
Foodies will be happy that local artisan baker / cake baker Paul Barker of Cinnamon Square, Ricky shares his secrets and first book of recipes with the session is introduced by Wendi Peters
Railway buffs book now! Simon Bradley is in town to look at how railways are part of our legacy and have transformed our lives, the delights of steam trains, restaurant cars and how we have lost signal boxes, goods sheds, station masters, porters and guards.
The event is being sponsored Chorleywood travel specialists Ultimate Destinations.
“We love to work with other businesses or groups in the community – it always brings another dimension to the evening. Alan Haynes of Ultimate Destinations is introducing a railway travel theme which should be fun!”
MP Alan Johnson is with us on Sunday 16 October ( you may have seen him on BBC’s This Week with Andrew Neil and Michael Portillo ) He presents the last book of a trilogy on his memoir covering his 19 years in Parliament. Local author D J Kelly covers Buckinghamshire spies and rebels from the English reformation to present day with much based in intelligence gathered by local people.
There’s plenty for history lovers to. James Macmanus’ novel Midnight in Berlin is set just before WW2 and based on true events and characters while Sian Evans book Queen Bees six society hostesses who entertained everyone from the Mosleys to the Mitfords, from millionaires to maharajahs, from film stars to royalty – including the witty Lady Nancy Astor whose county home was Cliveden.
John Julius Norwich returns to talk about his book Four Princes, Henry VIII of England, Francis 1 of France, Charles V of Spain and Suleiman the Magnificent ( Wed 19 Oct)
Local poet Caroline Smith presents a timely collection entitled The Immigration Handbook while Neil Elder in Codes of Conduct explores the gap between what we think we know about each other and what we actually know . His work is described as funny with an edge.
Finally, an event for all those keen cyclists out there. Tim Moore ( described as bonkers but very funny) tells of his latest excapade on two wheels, cycling along The Iron Curtain, A previous bike expedition told of his reconstruction of the Italian Giro race ridden on a revamped 1914 bike – with corks as brake pads! Expect a fun night. That’s it ! Book early, tickets sell fast.
All tickets from Chorleywood Bookshop. 01923 283566 www.chilternbookshops.co.uk