Well, with the first night nerves, stresses and strains over with for the organising team, the night was a resounding success! And packed to overflowing for our first two speakers, Trevor Beeson & Ronald Blythe.
Mr Beeson gave us all a beautifully crafted, anecdotal and humorous glimpse into one of our truly historic previous residents of the village during a period of great change within the church, science and the population as a whole. For which we are grateful and privileged to have heard.
Mr Blythe chose some carefully selected sections from his book which he read to us in the way that only he could. Truly amazing to hear the words that once had been read with your own voice narrating in your mind, to then hear them repeated in the voice that penned them. He then chose some sections from one of his published diaries, which as you would expect, were prose worthy of his name.
Both kindly answered questioned from the audience after each of their stints. And, graciously signed books that had been brought in or purchased from the book seller within the church. In addition, a number of the limited edition prints that were crafted specifically for the occasion, were inspected, admired, complimented upon and of course, sold.
In essence, a lovely evening, privileged listening and in the very best of company...
For photos of the evening and the ability to place orders for prints, visit http://albums.ginkgostudios.com [[ apologies, the images will be online soon, but work commitments have taken over for now]] and navigate to the Thursday evening gallery (may take a day or two to get transferred.
For those of you who have already booked your tickets in eager anticipation of attending the revived Stoke Charity Literary Festival, 2009. Congratulations, wait is over! Very much looking forward to seeing you there...
As of 7:30 PM this evening, the festival commences in the very capable hands of Trevor Beeson and Ronald Blythe.
Then, for Friday evening, again at 7:30 PM, James Landale and Wendy Cope will fill our evening with their literary and anecdotal delights.
For Saturday, once again, at 7:30 PM. We have Louis de Bernières partnered with Ilone Antonius-Jones.
And finally, rounding up the festival on Sunday evening at 6:30 PM, Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith, "Britain's greatest living hymn writer" will lead the "Songs of Praise" within the beautiful surroundings of St Mary's and St Michaels Church here in Stoke Charity.
Throughout each of the evenings Stewart R Smith, senior partner and principal photographer with Ginkgo Studios will be photographing proceedings and making them available online as a gallery from which, should you wish, you can order prints. You can access the gallery by clicking here and bookmarking it for later reference. or, you can come back here where you will find a report on the evening and a selection of images taken with links directly into the gallery.
In addition, Stewart has produced a small number of bespoke fine art photographs, specifically for the festival which will be on display. Orders of these images can be made on the evening at a substantially reduced price, or after the festival at their normal rate. Each of the images will have a limited print run of 50 with each signed and numbered personally on the rear and with a certificate of authentication. They will also provide a framing service too if wanted. The originals are also available to buy, but you'll need to talk to Stewart personally to negotiate that... A proportion of the amount raised from the sale of these prints will join the money already raised by ticket sales and divided between Stoke Charity Church and the Langalanga Scholarship Fund to provide books for schools in Kenya.
In addition, if you feel you would like to make a donation to the church or the scholarship fund, you can do so by clicking the 'Make a Donation' button on the right of the page, where once collected by Stewart, will be transferred over once the event is over. You can of course also donate in person with real money on the evening too.
About an hour ago, we took delivery of our flyers for the promotion of the 2009 Stoke Charity Literary Festival.
You started writing in the 1950’s, with the release of your first book, A Treasonable Growth, and Divine Landscapes, which was reissued earlier this year. What has inspired you to keep writing for so many years?
I have lived in East Anglia
all my life and my work is must influenced by its landscape and ‘spirit’. I became a full-time writer in 1956, when I lived at Aldeburgh and assisted at the Festival. I edited The Aldeburgh Anthology for Benjamin Britten.
Canterbury Press has just re-published your ‘Wormingford’ series, Can you tell us a little about Wormingford and why you started writing these?
READ MORE OF THE INTERVIEW - CLICK BELOW...
[Click the picture or here to download the PDF leaflet & booking form]
Joining us will be the award-winning novelist Louis de Berniéres, Britain’s favourite poet Wendy Cope and our greatest rural writer Ronald Blythe. James Landale, the BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent, will be taking time away from Westminster to talk about his novel Duel and Trevor Beeson, the former Dean of Winchester and highly entertaining author, will be opening the Festival with an amusing account of the life of Stoke Charity’s most famous (and eccentric) Rector, William Buckland. Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith will be finishing the Festival on a high note, hosting Sunday night’s Songs of Praise – so come along in good voice!
Programme
Thursday 17th September at 7.30pm
Trevor Beeson discusses the life of William Buckland, pioneering scientist (the Stephen Hawkins of his day), renowned eccentric and one-time Rector of Stoke Charity.
Ronald Blythe reads from his favourite works.
Friday 18th September at 7.30pm
James Landale tells the story of his ancestor, David Landale, the last man to fight a duel on British soil.
Wendy Cope reads from her collections of witty and insightful verse.
Saturday 19th September at 7.30pm
An evening of music and readings with Louis de Berniéres and Ilone Antonius-Jones.
Sunday 20th September at 6.30pm
Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith leads the Festival Songs of Praise.
Festival bookshop * Book Signings * Wine * Refreshments
If you would like to help with the promotion of the event - Please click here - to download a PDF black and white A5 poster that you can pop up in your local shop, place of work or child's school.
