That’s a Wrap!

On Friday 3rd October, guests had an outstanding supper at Ockenden Manor and were entertained by Andrew Lownie with an illustrated talk on his new book Entitled.

Once again the sun shone over the festival weekend, despite gloomy warnings about Storm Ada coming to disrupt proceedings. Saturday opened with Iain Dale whose latest book Margaret Thatcher aims to tell anyone under 53 (who never voted for her) about the Iron Lady.

Down in the Talbot, there was a real buzz with Dr Benji Waterhouse talking about A Psychiatrist’s Life. A packed morning ensued when visitors heard about conspiracy theories from Gabriel Gatehouse and two women authors talked about their literary sleuths. David Marsh’s session on his book Will Europe Survive? had a large audience thoroughly engaged.

Down in Holy Trinity Church, Andrew Ziminski and David Thunder talked about Andrew’s new book Church Going.

Claire Clark’s Social Media Workshop in the Talbot was much enjoyed, as was the Creative Writing Workshop with Mick Jackson.

Lord Sumption held everyone’s attention as ‘the cleverest man’ in Britain discussed the political issues of the day and he was followed by the story of six post-war politicians.

Local author Gavin Jamieson led a session on the challenges of publishing and Baroness Lola Young talked about her childhood in care as a Black child in a white family. Climate hero Isabel Losada warmed the hearts of everyone with The Joyful Environmentalist and Simon Mason, a delightful self-deprecating writer of unusual crime, books charmed his audience.

Saturday ended with Helen Lederer’s biography Not That I’m Bitter producing plenty of laughs and some loud music as she recounted tales of her time in the male-dominated world of alternative comedy.

Andrew Lownie was back early on Sunday with more revelations about Andrew and Fergie, then Phil Craig’s book 1945:The Reckoning produced an animated session. Lucy Mangan and Roger Morgan-Grenville were very popular and Michael Taylor’s session with Cuckfieldian Hermione Cockburn explored his book Impossible Monsters.

Camilla Stokholm, author of What Your Doctor Eats offered advice on smart eating habits, and the life of the Duke of Buckingham was revealed by Lucy Hughes-Hallett.

Anne Sebba and Julian Worricker came together again as they did in 2017, with a discussion about The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz and the mood was lightened by Tiffany Murray, followed by the perfect session for cricket buffs, Test Cricket.

Rory Cellan-Jones’s wonderful story about his dog Sophie was hugely enjoyed and the day ended with Emma Healey talking about her book Sweat, the subject of the Big Book Group.

The children enjoyed several sessions over the weekend and once again Annette Badland entranced her audience over tea and cakes in Ockenden Manor with a poetry session.

More tickets than ever were sold this year so thanks to everyone who made it such a successful festival: sponsors, benefactors, friends and volunteers. It wouldn’t happen without you.