News
Thursday, 01 September 2011
Literature in Oxfordshire: Wantage, Henley and Woodstock
September is one of the busiest months in Oxfordshire's literary calendar, as Wantage, Woodstock and Henley all play host to fantastic literary festivals celebrating and showcasing authors and their work.
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The Wantage Betjeman Festival of Literature
Sunday 11 –Saturday 17 September 2011
The inaugural Wantage Betjeman Festival of Literature is, according to the festival’s Artistic Director Jim Mitchell, “the culmination of a vision which has been coming to fruition over many years.” It is therefore unsurprising to learn that the programme on offer for this week long event is varied, exciting and incredibly well thought out, including something for all ages and levels of interest in reading and poetry.
John Betjeman had a long association with Wantage, and the festival aims to celebrate both his work and that of other poets and authors. As well as film screenings, walks and musical performances, residents and visitors to the town will also be given the opportunity to take part in readings, workshops and discussions with a stellar line up of locally and nationally recognised writers. Tim Pears, Sir Max Hastings, Jim Powel, Valerie Laws, Lucy Cavendish and Bill Heine are just a selection of those taking part.
http://www.wantagebetjeman.com
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The Independent Woodstock Literary Festival
Wednesday 14 – Sunday 18 September 2011
Founded in 2005 by Sally Dunsmore and her mother Jill – who is also the Town Mayor – the Independent Woodstock Literary Festival has since grown from a three to five day event, has seen David Cameron attend three of the six years, and has played host to a staggering array of literary luminaries and experts on topics ranging from art and politics to history and science.
This year sees Margaret Drabble on her Collected Stories, Colonel Tim Collins talking about Iraq, Richard Dawkins launching his book The Magic of Reality, David Crystal on The King James Bible, and an extended discussion on Afghanistan and the Arab Spring, chaired by Martin Bell. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in the much-loved walking tour, to be conducted this year by Alistair Lack, and on the Friday evening a grand dinner with a special guest speaker will take place in the Orangery at Blenheim Palace.
http://www.woodstockliteraryfestival.com
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The Henley Literary Festival
Wednesday 28 September – Sunday 2 October 2011
This September, the Henley Literary Festival will celebrate a great occasion – its fifth anniversary. And with close to 100 novelists, politicians, actors and journalists taking part, there promises to be something on offer for everyone, no matter what your interest.
The festival takes place over the course of five days and sees events staged in a range of stunning venues throughout Henley, including the beautiful 17th century Bix Manor and the Kenton Theatre, the fourth-oldest working theatre in the country. Audiences will be treated to readings and talks from the likes of Melvyn Bragg, Pam Ayres, Alan Titchmarsh, Larry Lamb and Sarah Brown, as well as being given the opportunity to join wine tastings, cookery demonstrations and other alternative events. In fact, don’t miss the festival’s ever popular River Readings, which invite audiences to enjoy prose and poetry (plus a glass of fizz!) as they sail down the Thames on elegant cruise boats; superb.
http://www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk
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