Books in the Belfry is back next week at its village home with an impressive line-up of authors taking part.
They include Herts author Dermot Turing, the nephew of legendary Bletchley Park code-breaker Alan Turing, who will be discussing his biography Decoded at St Leonard’s Church, Flamstead, this Saturday, May 21.
He has had had access to family letters and diaries which provided a unique insight into the extraordinary life of the genius mathematician whose personal life ended in tragedy.
The two-day festival kicks off on the evening of Friday, May 20, with novelist Renee Knight, whose Gone-Girl style thriller Disclaimer was in the bestselling lists earlier this year.
There will also be an appearance from Edd Kimber, who won the first series of The Great British Bake-off back in 2010.
Dubbed The Boy Who Bakes he has written three books, the latest being Patisserie Made Simple. He will be in conversation with award-winning BBC Radio Four broadcaster Sybil Ruscoe over tea and scones, talking about life in the Bake Off tent.
The programme, some of which takes place in Flamstead Village Hall, also features a children’s story-telling session, a creative writing boot camp for teenagers and adults and a sports session with journalist Alan Fraser whose story The Hitler Trophy - the history of golf in the Olympics and its memorable role at the 1936 Games ahead of its return in Rio this summer - is published this month.
Festival spokesman Vikki Orvice said: “We are excited about the line-up and hope as many people in the area will once again support Books in the Belfry. We think attracting Dermot Turing, Edd Kimber and Renee Knight is another coup for the festival, now in its third year, so come along and hear their stories.
“We’ve tried to make sure there is something for everyone and it promises to be fun, whatever age you are.”
Waterstones in St Albans is supporting the festival and will be selling books on both days. Audiences will get a chance to meet the authors and get books signed.
Proceeds will help support the Friends of St Leonard’s (FOSL) to raise funds for repair work to safeguard medieval wall-paintings in the village church.
For further information on all the festival events and how to book tickets - online or in person - click here.
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