Southwold Literature Festival 8 – 12 November 2012
Ways With Words
Ways With Words
Come to Southwold and enjoy the following . . .
01803 867373 www.wayswithwords.co.uk
. . . and of course the literary programme. See over.
Adnams’ Cellar & Kitchen Store On Friday 9 November from 6.30pm - 8pm Adnams invites all festival-goers to call in to the Cellar & Kitchen Store on Victoria Street for a drinks reception and a chance to browse round the store. Perfect for Christmas.
Pat Barker
Gang of One 1a) 2.30pm
St Edmund’s Hall
£10
Gary Mulgrew was one of the British bankers dubbed ‘the NatWest Three’ who ended up in a US jail after losing a high profile extradition case. Today he will discuss his raw and shocking account of survival in one of Texas’s most notorious, gang-infested prisons. With insight and dark humour, Mulgrew portrays the moral and physical challenges of prison life, the search and yearning for his children, and the deal that cost him everything.
Ronald Blythe (1)
Fiction Regenerated
People and places
1) 4pm
2) 5.45pm St Edmunds’s Hall
St Edmund’s Hall
£10
Booker prize winner, Pat Barker, returns with her new WW1 novel ‘Toby’s Room’; a dark, quietly compelling, wartime tale of intrigue, secrecy, identity and betrayal. Pat Barker talks about her fascination with WW1 and divulges unrevealed insight into her most powerful novel to date.
£10
Old houses will always have their say. For Ronald Blythe it is in the form of a meditation on the past and the present. The recent past of his farmhouse, Bottengoms Farm, includes the lives of the artists John and Christine Nash with whom he lived until their deaths. Behind them are generations of farmers and shepherds. For all his life the poet, historian and writer, Ronald Blythe, has listened to the stories of the buildings and the people of Suffolk.
THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER
Gary Mulgrew
FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER
Ronald Blythe (2)
Frances Spalding
Ben Elton
the time by the sea; time with britten
Journeying to and from Southwold: Prunella Clough’s art and vision
BROTHERS IN ARMS
3) 10am
St Edmund’s Hall
£10
The sea of the title is the North Sea at Aldeburgh – a stormy, cultural sea, as Ronald Blythe describes it. To be published next Spring to coincide with the centenary of Benjamin Britten’s birth, Ronald Blythe has written a memoir of music, painting and bike rides. He gathers up many early experiences, sights and sounds and tells of how he found himself drawn into Britten’s circle and began working for the Aldeburgh Festival.
4) 11.30am
St. Edmund’s Hall
£10
Prunella Clough (1919-1999) was one of the best and most original artists to emerge in the second half of the twentieth century. This event celebrates her outstanding contribution to British art. Frances Spalding, art historian and eminent biographer of Myfanwy and John Piper, Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and Whistler amongst others, explores the key themes and inspirations that informed Clough’s work.
5) 1pm
St Edmund’s Hall
£10
Ben Elton has established a reputation as a leading figure in the world of comedy: stand-up, TV appearances, script-writing and directing. He is also a best-selling novelist. In his latest, ‘Two Brothers’, he tells the story of twins born in 1920s Berlin. As Nazi Germany envelops Europe the twins are faced with an unimaginable choice. It is a reflection on his own history; his uncles fought in opposing armies in WW2.
Cabinet of Curiosities 6) 2.30pm St Edmund’s Hall
£10
Britain’s foremost nature writer and expert in all things biotic, Richard Mabey, describes the sensual pleasures of nature’s objects through an innovative display. Come and be introduced to his cabinet of curiosities from the natural world.
Simon Hoggart
Deborah Bull
House Of Fun – Twenty Glorious Years In Parliament
The Rigour behind the Glamour
7) 4.15pm St Edmund’s Hall
8) 5.45pm St Edmund’s Hall
£10
£10
It is not surprising that Simon Hoggart calls the House of Commons, the House of Fun. For 20 years he has been the parliamentary sketch writer for The Guardian and regular readers of his column will know that he extracts much humour from his view of daily life at Westminster. He has been making us laugh for many years.
Deborah Bull, a former principle dancer with The Royal Ballet, takes us behind the velvet curtain to expose the everyday realities of the world of dance. She artfully paints a portrait of the arc of a professional dancer’s life, from the very first ballet class, the vigorous training, up through the competition ranks and finally to retirement.
FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER
Richard Mabey
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER
James Long
Jessica Fellowes
The Return of Ferney 9) 10am
St Edmund’s Hall
£10
the World of Downton Abbey 10) 11.45am St Edmund’s Hall
Much loved author James Long will talk about the long-awaited second instalment of his popular work of fiction, ‘Ferney’. ‘The Lives She Left Behind’ is a powerful and intriguing love story centred on the happenings in a small, Somerset village. He discusses the complications of writing a sequel and leads the audience on an enticing journey through his fictional creations.
£10
Enter a world of pure elegance and decadence, romance and rivalry with Jessica Fellowes, writer of a second companion book to the acclaimed British drama ‘Downton Abbey’. She steps back in time to reveal the true history behind the famous screen set. Bursting with rich historical detail and behind-the-scenes insights, her commentary will take fans further into the Edwardian period than ever before.
Will Gompertz
Jeremy Vine
From Talking Books, To Writing Books
What are you looking at?
News: New and Old
11) 2.30pm St Edmund’s Hall
12) 4pm
£10
Eminent TV presenter, journalist and book club champion, Judy Finnigan now has written a novel of her own. She discusses her haunting and compelling new work of fiction, ‘Eloise’, and reveals how she made the transition from broadcaster to writer.
St Edmund’s Hall
13) 5.45pm St Edmund’s Hall
£10
£10
BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz takes a refreshing, straight talking and entertaining look at the past 150 years of modern art. From impressionism to the present day, through the art movements, masterpieces, and influential artists, Gompertz tackles the questions we all wish to ask: What is modern art? Why is it worth so much money? What are we looking at?
Jeremy Vine takes a look back at his work at the BBC, spanning over a quarter of a century. From his first day which coincided with Black Monday; to being shot at in Bosnia; then to the corridors of Westminster as a political correspondent; Jeremy Vine has been a front-row spectator at some of the major events of recent history.
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER
Judy Finnigan
SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER
Paul Mason
Tom Watson
Charlie Connelly
Telling China’s Story
Dial M for Murdoch
Bring Me Sunshine
14) 10am St Edmund’s Hall
15) 11.45am St Edmund’s Hall
16) 1.15pm
£10
When BBC Newsnight Economics Editor, Paul Mason, travelled to China in 2009 he concluded that modern China’s story was easier to tell as fiction. Today he will speak about his zeitgeist novel, ‘Rare Earth’, which explores the rise of the Chinese economy and the West’s failure to understand the East.
£10
Tom Watson MP tells the full behind-thescenes story of the phone-hacking scandal. He led the questioning of Rupert and James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks when they appeared before the Select Committee in July 2011 and continues to be at the forefront of the investigation.
St Edmund’s Hall £10
We talk about the weather a lot. It exasperates, confounds and on occasion delights us, but how much do we really know about it? In his book, ‘Bring Me Sunshine’, Charlie Connelly sets off on the trail of our island obsession and brings vividly to life great weather events from history. Charlie Connelly has presented the BBC1 Holiday programme and has co-hosted BBC Radio 4’s Traveller’s Tree with Fi Glover.
Rachel Johnson
humanism 17) 2.45pm St Edmund’s Hall
£10
Writing, Editing and Life at The Lady 18) 4.30pm
A.C. Grayling was Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London until 2011. Now he is Master of the New College of the Humanities. Recently he published ‘The Good Book’, a non-religious Bible, which draws from the wealth of secular literature and philosophy in both Western and Eastern traditions. Today he talks about humanism and offers inspiration, encouragement, and consolation for the non-religious.
St Edmund’s Hall
£10
Rachel Johnson was appointed editor of The Lady magazine in 2009. Her latest book, ‘Winter Games’, is a tale of secrets and betrayal that focuses on young women’s lives in Germany before WW2 and then switches to London 70 years later and a young girl’s quest to discover the life of her grandmother. Rachel Johnson talks about her writing and editing life.
Hannah Rothschild Literary Dinner
A Journey from Jewels to Jazz 19) 7 for 7.30pm Swan Hotel, Southwold £55 (to include a copy of Rothschild’s book) Part musical odyssey, part dazzling love story, Hannah Rothschild tells of her quest to solve the mystery of her rebellious great aunt: the spirited Nica. She reveals a Baroness who takes a thrilling journey from England’s stately homes to pursue her passion for the New York jazz scene and her love for music legend, Thelonious Monk.
SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER
A.C. Grayling
MONDAY 12 NOVEMBER
Become a Friend of Ways With Words Many people use the Friends’ early booking scheme when applying for tickets for Southwold. There are 4 levels of Friends starting at £15 per annum. Call 01803 867373 or email admin@wayswithwords.co.uk
Paddy Ashdown
By Strength and Guile: The Greatest Raid of WW2
Piers Brendon
Eminent Elizabethans 20) 10.30am St Edmund’s Hall
£10
In the year of the Diamond Jubilee, Piers Brendon turns his sharp and witty eye to four characters who have illuminated the age of Elizabeth 11: Rupert Murdoch, Prince Charles, Margaret Thatcher and Mick Jagger. He explains how each, in very different ways, has shaped our contemporary world.
21) 12 noon St Edmund’s Hall
£10
Former political leader, Paddy Ashdown, turns his attention to WW2 and the remarkable canoe raid on German ships in Bordeaux Harbour. This classic story is told by a man who himself served in The Special Boat Squadron, and who has dedicated his efforts to researching previously unseen archives and tracing surviving witnesses to convey a definitive account of the greatest raid of WW2.
DAY TICKETS You can buy tickets to all of the events on a particular day at a reduced rate. See the booking form for details. TERMS & CONDITIONS Ways With Words (WWW) reserves the right without prior warning to alter the programme if circumstances dictate. For full details of our policy on event cancellations, ticket refunds, exchanges and re-sales please refer to the website www.wayswithwords.co.uk/terms LOST TICKETS: Please take great care of your tickets. WWW will not replace lost tickets. No unauthorised photographing or recording of events.
With special thanks to Emma Davis for help with programme copy
Some Dates to Note:
Holiday Courses with Ways With Words
Words by the Water A Festival of Words and Ideas in the Lake District 1 – 10 March 2013
Be Creative, Be Imaginative, Be Thoughtful – or just have a good rest at Villa Pia, Umbria, Italy Writing and Art Course and Discussion Workshops Week one: 22 – 29 Sept. 2012 Week two: 29 Sept. – 6 Oct. 2012
Fingals, Dittisham, Devon Writing Course with a Photography component 28 April – 3 May 2013
The Telegraph Ways With Words Festival of Words and Ideas at Dartington Hall, Devon 5 – 15 July 2013
And back in Southwold, Suffolk The Southwold Literature Festival 7 – 11 November 2013
Both places have a swimming pool, inspiring landscapes, lovely local walks and delicious food.
www.wayswithwords.co.uk Tel. 01803 867373
All abilities are catered for. All activities are optional. www.wayswithwords.co.uk Tel. 01803 867373
PACKAGES
Ways With Words offers half-board (dinner, B&B) packages inclusive of tickets at both the Swan Hotel and the Crown Hotel in Southwold. The Swan package is for 4 nights (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) and includes tickets for all events during the festival and the literary dinner. The Crown package is for 4 nights (as Swan above) or 3 nights (Fri, Sat, Sun) including tickets for all events on Sat, Sun & Mon and the literary dinner. In each room there will be discount vouchers to the value of £50 for use in Adnams’ Hotels and the Wine Cellar and Kitchen Store. Packages can be booked at any time using the form opposite or by telephone 01803 867373 (NB. The Ways With Words office will have limited opening until 20 August.) Both hotels are offering a free dinner for guests wishing to stay on Wednesday 7th and/ or Monday 12th. Please phone the hotel where you are staying quoting ‘WWW 5th Night’. Swan Hotel: 01502 722186 Crown Hotel: 01502 722275 These must be booked in advance.
HOW TO BOOK
The booking form opposite can be used to book packages and tickets for individual events. Please send with s.a.e. to: Ways With Words, Droridge Farm, Dartington, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6JG Payments by cheque (to ‘Ways With Words’) Please date and sign the cheque but leave the rest blank. On the crossed section (where it says A/C Payee) write: “not to exceed: (the amount of your order in words)”. This is in case some of your order is not available, in which case we shall complete your cheque for the lesser amount unless you tell us to do otherwise. Bookings using credit/debit card can be made on this form, by telephone: 01803 867373 and online: www.wayswithwords.co.uk (online ticket sales available from 5 September.) PLEASE NOTE: Friends’ booking will start on Wed. 29 August (post & phone only) (2 tickets per event limit). General booking will start on Wednesday 5 September. Any postal bookings received before these dates will be filed but will not be processed until booking opens.
I am already a Friend I would like to become a Friend (add £15 to your total)
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Event 1a) Gary Mulgrew 1) Pat Barker 2) Ronald Blythe (1) All-day Thursday 3) Ronald Blythe (2) 4) Frances Spalding 5) Ben Elton 6) Richard Mabey 7) Simon Hoggart 8) Deborah Bull All-day Friday 9) James Long 10) Jessica Fellowes 11) Judy Finnigan 12) Will Gompertz 13) Jeremy Vine All-day Saturday 14) Paul Mason 15) Tom Watson 16) Charlie Connelly 17) A.C. Grayling 18) Rachel Johnson All-day Sunday 19) Literary Dinner - Rothschild 20) Piers Brendon 21) Paddy Ashdown
Booking Conditions Payment in full is required at the time of booking. Cancellations cannot be refunded. Customers are strongly advised to take out holiday insurance.
INDIVIDUAL AND DAY TICKETS
PACKAGES Prices are per person. Please circle the package you would like. Swan Crown Crown 4 night 4 night 3 night Lighthouse Stnd. £608 N/A N/A single occ. £823 N/A N/A Standard £630 £577 £433 single occ. £856 N/A N/A Classic / Superior £680 £620 £465 single occ. £N/A N/A N/A Premier / Suite £746 £664 £499 Single Room £691 £674 £504
Paddy Ashdown Pat Barker Ronald Blythe Deborah Bull Ben Elton Judy Finnigan A.C. Grayling Simon Hoggart Rachel Johnson Paul Mason Richard Mabey Jeremy Vine – and more
Tickets & Information 01803 867373 www.wayswithwords.co.uk