CUCKFIELD BOOKFEST 2024

Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October
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2024 Dates
Dates for your diary: 

Friday 27th September BookFest Literary Quiz
Friday 4th October Ockenden Manor Supper
Saturday 5th – 6th October Cuckfield Book Festival

2023 Bookfest is resounding success

The traditional Ockenden Manor supper opened the proceedings on Friday night when Greta Scaachi delighted the full house with intriguing stories of her acting life.  Greta was born locally so her reminiscences about her early days stirred many memories and then she went on to tell tales of her life in Hollywood.

On Saturday morning, the hall was packed to hear Sebastian Payne discussing his latest book The Fall of Boris Johnson with Phil Collins.  It was a riveting discussion and with the Conservative party conference just over, there were plenty of things political to talk about.

There then followed a busy programme with sessions covering China, medicine, Deborah Moggach author of Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Noel Coward (the author of Masquerade, Oliver Soden, went to school locally), Central European History, royalty, music history, ghost and blurb writing. An innovation this year was a walk round Cuckfield with anthologist Duncan Minshull, and then Nick Sharratt provided an irresistible drawing session for kids.  There was a workshop for local authors discussing the road to publication.

Saturday ended with a delightful poetry session when Annette Badland  and Hugh Ross joined Allie Esiri to read poems from Allie’s latest anthology.  Two Hurst pupils made a surprise appearance as well.

SPONSORS

Sponsors of course are crucial to the successful running of the Festival and we are so grateful to all those who supported this year’s event.

Several book festivals have had to fold in the past year following Covid and the cost of living crisis so we consider ourselves very lucky that thanks to the loyal and generous support of schools, businesses, charities and organisations, we are in a good position.

For more information on becoming a Benefactor or Sponsor for next year, please email info@cuckfieldbookfest.co.uk

Sunday was another glorious day with Ian Marchant’s humorous discussion about life in Sussex in 18th century kicking off, to be followed by sessions on a banking scandal, on symbols in art, on women’s health and women in intelligence.  Natalie Haynes delighted a full house with her talk on Greek goddesses and Kathryn Harkup intrigued her audience with tales of James Bond’s activities.  The last event in the Queen’s Hall saw Mat Osman (and some Suede groupies) talking about The Ghost Theatre.

The day ended Upstairs in the Talbot with Ella Berthoud’s Bibliotherapy workshop and then a talk on women’s football with Carrie Dunn.  The sporting theme continued with local author Paul Hayward’s inspirational session on Kevin Sinfield’s fund-raising efforts.  Upstairs was packed for Andrew Miller and Julian Worricker discussing the Big Book Group choice this year The Slowworm’s Song.

Ella Berthoud – Bibliotherapy Workshop

Mat Osman and Peter Gutteridge

Andy Verity

Carrie Dunn

VOLUNTEERS

Have you thought about being a volunteer at the Festival? We have a wonderful group of volunteers but can always do with more, particularly if you are able to help with erecting posters and banners just before the festival and with moving chairs just beforehand. Please contact info@cuckfieldbookfest.co.uk to apply.

Chris Stokel-Walker Ai author
Cuckfield Bookfest 2022