The Stoke Charity Literary Festival 17th-20th September 2009...

We are delighted to announce that the first Stoke Charity Literary Festival will be held from 17^th-20^th September 2009 in the beautiful setting of the Church of St. Mary and St. Michael, Stoke Charity.

[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 17^th 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 18^th 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 19^th 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.