Cuckfield Book Festival 2024 – That’s a Wrap!
Starting with the usual unmissable literary quiz on September 27 (won this year by the Halcyon team), excitement grew in the village as the weekend of the festival approached.
On Friday 4th October, the supper at Ockenden Manor was attended by 70 people who were entertained by Mel Giedroyc providing a lively and amusing interlude of chat and stories about her career.
The sun always seems to shine on the festival and on Saturday morning, crowds streamed into the Queen’s Hall for a packed day of talks covering the intricacies of artificial intelligence, a novel about Maria Callas, 20th century spies, ABBA and British politics.
Lady Colin Campbell’s views on Meghan and Harry were interesting, to say the least, and there was a highly praised creative writing workshop. Two authors discussed their different views on ‘stuff’ and what to keep and what not to keep. Sussex is full of history and Alexandra Harris’s talk in the Talbot was fascinating. Much hilarity was produced by Dominic Holland, also in the Talbot, who combines writing with comedy.
Many people enjoyed tea and delicious cake at Ockenden Manor with actress Annette Badland who was a delightful guide through the poetry of Simon Armitage.
The day ended with a talk from Henry Jeffreys about the growing of wine in England, supplemented by a taste of Bloomsbury sparkling wine courtesy of Ridgeview.
Even at 10am on Sunday, Polly Toynbee attracted an enthusiastic audience while local author Gavin Jamieson recounted the tale of an Olympic rower.
Two African writers discussed the history of their continent and the account of the ladies-in-waiting of the wives of Henry Vlll provided an unusual insight into English history.
There was a whistle stop tour of Churchill’s life through pictures, a story of a Polish resistance fighter, a forensic description of the business of writing locked-room mysteries and a poignant story of growing-up in the 1990s and the power of music.
The young people of Cuckfield were not forgotten over the weekend; on Saturday, Hurstpierpoint author Chris Bradford intrigued them hugely with his outer-space survival story and on Sunday, Adam Kay and Henry Paker provided a hilarious inter-active session. Sarah Crossan’s book Where the Heart Should Be reached out to an appreciative audience.
The festival organised a writing competition for 7-13-year-olds on the subject of Space and Exploration and was delighted to receive many entries from different schools. The winners will be announced soon.
This year’s Big Book Group choice was obviously a popular one and Sunday ended with the author of a book about lives lived in the shadow of the Berlin Wall.
Once again the festival brought lots of people to the village who enjoyed the opportunity to hear and talk to many different authors. As ever, the festival is so grateful to sponsors, benefactors, supporters and its wonderful volunteers who work so hard to make Cuckfield Book Festival the remarkable event it has become.
We’ll be back next year over the weekend of October 3rd – 5th so do please put the
date in your new diary now!
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Support Us
This cherished festival thrives on the passion and generosity of our supporters. Your involvement, whether through financial contributions, sponsorships, or volunteering your time and talents, is the lifeblood that sustains this literary celebration.
Discover how you can become a part of this wonderful event by exploring the various ways to support Cuckfield Bookfest and become a Friend, Benefactor, Sponsor and Volunteer.
2024 Sponsors
Hurst
Adelphi
Cumnor House Sussex
Hamilton Stone
Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, Cuckfield
The Cockburn Charitable Trust
Cuckfield Bathrooms
P&S Gallagher
Independent State of Cuckfield
The Cadogan Clinic
Mrs Maggie Kapff
Cuckfish, Cuckfield Parish Council, Jo Jo Boutique, Marcus Grimes Estate Agents, The Wheatsheaf Inn, The Talbot, Chez Fleur
A special thank you to our 2024 Benefactors:
David and Patricia Butcher, Elspeth Chasser, Marie Dormer and family, Miranda and Richard Grainger, Eileen Carole Hayward, Bridget Keates, David Mortimer, Nicole Patterson, Marion Petitpierre, Susan Ponsford, Gwyn and Meg Price, Jeff Thompson