News
Wednesday, 01 September 2010
Literature in the County
September is one of the busiest months in Oxfordshire's literary calendar, as both Henley and Woodstock host two fantastic festivals celebrating and showcasing authors and their work from all walks of life.
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The Woodstock Literary Festival
Wednesday 15 September - Sunday 19 September 2010
Established in 2005, the Woodstock Literary Festival has rapidly risen to become one of Britain’s most popular ‘boutique’ literary festivals. Situated at venues throughout the charming historic market town of Woodstock, this relaxed yet invigorating festival boasts a varied programme of talks and events on topics as wide ranging as history, art, current affairs, literary fiction, politics, gardening, food and religion.
Thousands flock to the Festival every year for a heady mix of national and international speakers, controversial debates, lectures, discussion and book launches, together with a pub quiz, literary lunches and teas, gin- and wine-tastings at The Feathers, the festival hotel. There are opportunities to meet and talk with authors, novelists, critics, journalists and commentators in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
The 2010 festival includes over 60 talks, walks and events, led by speakers such as Martin Jennings, Victoria Summersley, Helena Attlee, Kathy Lette, Max Hastings, Andrew O’Hagan, Antonia Fraser and Polly Toynbee (to name but a few!).
Other highlights of the 2010 programme include the lively Independent debate, Alistair Lack’s ever popular ‘walking tours’ and the festival’s very own tribute to author Colin Dexter, who not only celebrates his 80th birthday this year, but also the 35th anniversary of the publication of his first Morse book, Last Bus to Woodstock.
For more information about the festival and to book any of the events taking place, please visit the Woodstock Literary Festival website.
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The Henley Literary Festival
Wednesday 29 September – Sunday 3 October 2010
Now in its fourth year, the Henley Literary Festival has quickly established itself as one of the country's most popular events, appealing to both authors and book lovers alike. This year's festival is the biggest to date, featuring over 90 guests including actor and director Steven Berkoff, multi-million selling novelist Lionel Shriver, the BBC’s Fergal Keane and journalist and writer Max Hastings.
The festival was first started by former Daily Telegraph managing editor Sue Ryan, who believed that the town’s many unique venues (ranging from the imposing Town Hall to the fourth oldest theatre in the country, the Kenton) made it ideally suited to staging a literary festival. Other venues taking part in the five day extravaganza include Hotel du Vin, the River and Rowing Museum, Henley Cricket Club and local favourite, Hot Gossip coffee house.
Highlights of this year’s programme include ‘River Readings’, which invite you to enjoy poetry and prose on elegant cruise boats on the Thames, and the newly created event ‘Girls’ Day Out’, which is aimed at the mothers of young children.
For more information about the festival and to book any of the events taking place, please visit the Henley Literary Festival website.
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