FAQs
What are the festival dates?
The festival begins with the Literary Quiz on Friday 27th September followed by Supper at Ockenden Manor on Friday 4th October. The programme of events runs all day on 5th and 6th October.
Where is the Book Festival being held?
The Authors’ events will be held in the Queen’s Hall or The Talbot, Cuckfield.
Cuckfield is easily accessible by car or train with the nearest station being Haywards Heath.
ACCESSIBILITY
Due to fire precautions, sessions held upstairs in the Queen’s Hall or Upstairs at the Talbot are only accessible by stairs.
Occasionally Bookfest alters the location of sessions as necessary.
Queen’s Hall: The main entrance has level access leading to the Main Hall, Foyer/Bar area, kitchen, garden and accessible toilet. There is a ramp leading from the Fire Exit at the side of the hall and from the raised decking at the back into the garden. There is an outside accessible toilet at the side of the hall. A flashing light will be activated in the accessible toilet when the fire alarm goes off.
There is a hearing loop in the Main Hall.
If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact us at info@cuckfieldbookfest.co.uk
How do I book tickets?
Please go to https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cuckfieldbookfest
Bookings open on Saturday 17th August for Friends and Benefactors. Bookings open on Saturday 24th August to the general public.
Can I purchase a ticket on the door?
While we recommend advance booking for all events, if seats or cancellations are available, you can buy these on the door on the day (cash or card), both at the Queen’s Hall.
Are tickets refundable?
You can opt to purchase refund protection when you buy your tickets.
What is parking like in Cuckfield?
There is a public car park in Broad Street plus on street parking in the village. If using the Broad Street car park, a parking disc is required Monday – Saturday. This can be obtained from several village shops (indicated on the board in the car park).
You can also park in Warden Park Secondary Academy car park (Broad St, Cuckfield, RH17 5DP) which is a 10 minute walk to Queen’s Hall.
Please ask at the information desk inside the Queen’s Hall if you have any problem parking.
Are there eating opportunities in Cuckfield?
Yes, there are coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants throughout the village.
Is photography permitted?
No photography is permitted. A festival photographer will be taking photographs at the sessions.
Is there an ATM in the Village?
Yes, you can find an ATM inside the Co-op at the Whitemans Green end of the village.
How do the authors’ sessions work?
Each author either introduces themselves or is introduced by a moderator (or interviewer). They then may read a page or two of their book to give the audience a flavour of it and then discuss it with the moderator. The last 15 minutes of the session consists of questions from the audience. Sometimes the author talks alone and describes their book and how it came to be written.
Is it necessary to have read the books featured?
No, absolutely not. It might be interesting to do so for the Big Book Group but not by any means essential.
Is it possible to buy books?
Waterstones will be selling books throughout the Book Festival from The Queen’s Hall.
How is the Book Festival organised?
There is a Board consisting of Shauna Bevan, Gavin Jamieson, Andrew Lownie, Sarah McConnell, Sheila Mortimer, Debs Treyer-Evans, Julia Webb and Allie Young, who form a Community Interest Company (CIC) registered with Companies House.
This means that the Book Festival is entirely focussed on providing benefit to the community, local businesses and the authors who come. The main job of organising the festival is carried out by a Management Team, led by Sheila Mortimer. The team takes care of programming, marketing, sponsorship, finance, logistics, catering and volunteers.
How is the Book Festival funded?
We rely on the generosity of local companies and organisations, several of whom have supported us loyally since we began. Ticket sales obviously are extremely important for providing income.
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