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MONDAY October 8th.
TUESDAY October 9th.
Lunchtime:
Community Lunch with talk by Hilary Townsend.
The community lunch is now a popular feature
of festival week. Join others for this informal Mere get-together and
be entertained over coffee by local author, Hilary Townsend, and the
story of her Tudor house in Stalbridge.
Silk Hay recounts her restoration work on this medieval building
and also reveals how the house inspired the opening scene of The
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
Hilary Townsend was born in the Blackmore Vale and has written a number of books on its history.
The Old Ship Hotel, 12.00pm. for 12.30pm. Lunch £8.95pp for two courses, tea or coffee
Book your lunch by phoning the Old Ship on 01747 860258
Evening:
Saul David, historian, author and broadcaster, talks about his book which tells the story of the British soldier from the Restoration to Waterloo.
In a fast moving narrative Saul David tells the story of an extraordinary century-and-a-half of British martial success and those who made it possible.
..David’s fine piece of history.
Sunday Times
Compelling. At a time when the Army is facing cutbacks while being
expected to fight distant, unpopular wars on a shoestring, David’s book
could not be more topical.
Nigel Jones, Sunday Telegraph
Saul David wrote his first history book at the
age of twenty-five and is now one of our foremost military historians.
He has written nine books on military history to much critical acclaim
and has appeared at most major literary festivals.
He is an experienced broadcaster and TV presenter. His TV documentaries
include Bullets, Boots and Bandages for BBC4, programmes in
the BBC’s Timewatch and Channel 5’s Escape From series,
and most recently as a guest presenter in ITV’s Britain’s Secret
Treasures.
Grove Buildings 7.30pm. £5 in advance £6 on the door.
WEDNESDAY October 10th.
Afternoon:
Irvine Hunt talks about his novel, The Drover’s Boy, which is set in Cumbria and has proved popular with both children and adults.
An adventure story for the young in heart set in Cumbria more than a century ago. Young Henry Hodgekin is pushed out of his home by his unkind stepfather and sent to work with Torse, a wild Irish drover. Man and boy clash as they walk six hundred geese along rough and dangerous roads to market, but the journey changes Henry’s life forever.
Like all good children’s novels, The Drover’s Boy appeals to grown-ups as well and its reputation is growing by word-of-mouth. Irvine Hunt will talk about the story and explain what inspired him to write fiction after a career in journalism and writing successful factual books.
..a richly written story..
Westmorland Gazette
Grove Buildings 2.30pm. Free admission. Retiring collection.
Evening:
Irvine Hunt has published a number of books about the Lake District and presents an illustrated talk on Cumbrian life.
The Lake District is now a well known holiday
destination and tourists flock to this unique corner of England to enjoy
its mountains, lakes and panoramic views.
Irvine Hunt’s illustrated talk takes us back before the days of easy
travel and mass tourism to present a picture of the Lake District of
yesterday when it inspired many writers, among them the ever popular
Arthur Ransom and Beatrix Potter.
There are stories, customs and characters – shepherds, quarrymen, miners,
boatmen and others – and a glimpse of a vanished Cumbrian way of life.
…a wonderful dip into Lake District history.
Cumbria Life
Poet and writer, Irvine Hunt, spent five years as a sub-editor at
The Daily Telegraph, has worked and lectured for the British Film Institute
and taught English in Sweden.
He has lectured throughout Britain
and in the United States and is the author of nine books including a
book of short stories, Road to Paradise, and the novel, The
Drover’s Boy, both set in the Lake District.
Lecture Hall 7.30pm. £5 in advance £6 on the door.
THURSDAY October 11th.
Morning:
A guided walk.
Janet Way and David Hope lead a walk discovering some of Mere’s hidden paths and byways with words to match. Put on your walking shoes and meet outside the Parish Church
St. Michael's Church Gate 10am. Free
Afternoon:
Author, Pauline Morphy, will visit Mere School to talk about her children’s novel, Exiles from the Moor, and lead writing workshops for pupils.
Author, Pauline Morphy, will visit Mere School to talk about her children’s novel, Exiles from the Moor, and lead writing workshops for pupils.
The novel tells the story of
Jess, an eleven year old girl, whose passion in life is horses, in particular
her Exmoor pony, Marmalade.
It has recently been re-issued, to good reviews, by New Generation Publishing
with royalties donated to World Horse Welfare.
Pauline Morphy has an MA in Creative and Critical Writing from Winchester
University, has had short stories and articles published and is currently
working on a novel for adults. She is a keen member of Mere based PennyBank
Writers.
Mere Literary Festival acknowledge with thanks the support of the Lecture Hall Trust in its school project.
Afternoon & Evening:
Two showings of one of the most popular films in recent times with a star studded cast.
Enticed by advertisements for the Marigold Hotel, a group of British retirees decide to spend their retirement in less expensive and seemingly exotic India. They arrive to find the Marigold Hotel far less luxurious than its advertisements, but it slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.
The feel-good film of the year
Lecture Hall 4.00 pm & 7.30pm. £5 in advance, tickets available from the library.
FRIDAY October 12th.
Afternoon:
Mere’s celebration of Royal Jubilees on film and your chance to reminisce.
Local film of the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations
in Mere and local villages plus some of earlier celebrations. Come and
bring your stories, memorabilia and photos of the Queen’s jubilee celebrations
– Silver, Gold or Diamond.
If you have film that would be of interest, please contact MLF organiser.
Lecture Hall 2.30pm. Free admission. Retiring collection.
Evening:
A recently published biography of the elected Mayor of London in the year the city has been the focus of the world’s attention during the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.
‘Excellent, relentlessly entertaining..' The Guardian
Boris Johnson is one of the very few political
figures in modern Britain recognized without a surname. Sonia Purnell
worked closely with him during his time with the Daily Telegraph Brussels
bureau and charts the rise of Boris as a political celebrity. I worked
with him and knew that while people perhaps knew quite a lot about him,
virtually no-one understood him.
Her controversial biography of this compelling figure has changed the debate about Boris and made political biography a gripping, engaging and often funny read even to those not normally interested in politics.
..portrays … the arrogance, opportunism, and irresistible buffoonery
of our most celebrated politician.
Amol Rajan Independent on Sunday
Just Boris has received critical acclaim – full of stories and details
which ...correct the unrealistic view of Boris as an entirely comic bunny.
Quentin Letts.
And, in spite of all his comic semi-denials, does Boris aspire to become our Prime Minister?
Sonia Purnell is a writer and journalist known for her investigative skills and lively writing. She has worked for major newspapers including The Economist, Daily Telegraph, Independent on Sunday and London Evening Standard.
Grove Buildings 7.30pm. £5 in advance £6 on the door.
SATURDAY October 13th.
Morning:
Take a break, relax with a cup
of coffee as local writer & poet, John Page, reads words to fit his
travels.
During his working career he has travelled widely both in this country
and overseas. In his readings he will explore the varied voices of the
diverse places he has visited.
United Reform Church 10.15 - 12.00am. Free.
A drama workshop led by Julie McGowan, who has considerable experience of working with young people and of writing plays for her innovative Theatre-in-Education company. She runs workshops and drama groups in her home town of Usk and is a co-director of the Is It? Theatre Company which takes productions into schools.
Suitable for young people aged 10 years and over. FREE but limited numbers so book early at the Library or contact the Festival Organiser.
The Lecture Hall 10.15am - 12.15pm. Audience invited for 11.45am.
Afternoon:
Melinda Emby, a teacher and
author, will lead activities based on her popular children’s book, Granny’s
Special Garden, illustrated by John Gustard.
Mere Gardening Club will also be adding to the afternoon fun.
Interesting and fun activities for 6 -10 year olds. Limited numbers at this popular event so book early at Mere Library.
Library 2.15pm. Free.
MLF are grateful to the Lecture Hall Trust for their support, to the staff of Mere Library and members of Mere Gardening Club for their help with this event.
Julie McGowan worked as a nurse and in
Health Education before becoming a writer and journalist.
She began with dramatic shows for children at the school where her husband
was headmaster and has since written short stories, features, pantomimes,
children’s plays and novels.
Julie McGowan worked as a nurse and in Health Education
before becoming a writer and journalist.
She began with dramatic shows for children at the school where her husband
was headmaster and has since written short stories, features, pantomimes,
children’s plays and novels.
Her first novel, The Mountains Between, set in her native Wales, was published in 2007 and became a best-seller.
Our best seller from the day we stocked it.
Abergavenny Book Shop
We’re selling boxes of them – our best seller.
Browning Books
A great read.
Monmouthshire County Life
A second novel, Just One More Summer, followed to similar acclaim, a third is soon to be published and a fourth is in progress.
This workshop provides an opportunity to learn from a story-teller of proven success. And whether you have some writing experience or are a beginner, a workshop is always a great way to stimulate the creative process and meet like-minded people.
Methodist Church Hall. 2.30pm. £12 inc. refreshments. Limited numbers so contact MLF Organiser to book your place. 01747 860475
Why not meet Julie McGowan beforehand at the Writers’ Lunch? Details from the festival organiser.
Evening:
With a talk by his descendant, author Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, and his characters brought to life in performance by Chester House Productions.
A celebration of the great novelist and campaigner for social reform with a talk by his great-great-great-granddaughter, Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, and his characters brought to life in performance by Chester House Productions.
Lucinda Dickens Hawksley is an author whose biographies have won critical
acclaim. These include Lizzie Siddel: The Tragedy of a Pre-Raphaelite
Supermodel, and Katey: The Life and Loves of Dickens’ Artist Daughter.
She is also a travel writer and a winner of the Ed Lacy Travel Writing
Award.
Her latest book, a biography of her famous ancestor, was commissioned by publisher Andre Deutsch to celebrate the Charles Dickens Anniversary and includes copies of many family mementoes.
…fascinating documents and memorabilia…these really bring alive Dickens’
life.
Richard Brooks The Sunday Times
Lucinda Dickens Hawksley is much in demand as a speaker on Charles Dickens and particularly this year. She has appeared at the 2012 Hay Festival, the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and numerous other literary events throughout the country.
The popular actors, Vera Hughes and David Weller, of Chester House Productions have delighted audiences across the south of England bringing live theatre to varied venues and over 21,000 people. Here they present their newest production, Dickens’ Characters, especially created for the author’s anniversary and already a favourite with audiences.
Vera and David bring Dickens’ characters to life .
We were completely absorbed into the world of Dickens.
Lovely little cameos.
Funny and poignant scenes and memorable characters from The Pickwick Papers, Bleak House, David Copperfield, Nicholas Nickleby, Great Expectations and The Old Curiosity Shop
Lecture Hall 7.30pm. £5 in advance £6 on the door.
SUNDAY October 14th.
Afternoon:
with author James Long
Lecture Hall 3pm. Book stalls from 2.30pm. Free.
Tickets available from August 27th from:
Mere Information Centre 01747 861211
or Festival Organiser 01747 860475