Ludlow literature festival attracts big names

Tickets have gone on sale for the weekend festival which will return to Ludlow Assembly Rooms next month.

Attracting a host of big names, the Weekend of Words is now in its third year.

The festival will kick off with local award-winning acoustic trio Whalebone, in collaboration with poet Kate Innes, who will present a blend of music and poetry called Flocks of Words.

Headlining the first day of the festival is comedian Shappi Khorsandi, as seen on Live at the Apollo, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and Have I got News for You, who will be talking about England’s unsung heroine Emma Hamilton, otherwise known as ‘Nelson’s mistress’.

Orange-shortlisted novelist Manda Scott will be discussing the lives of Boudicca and Jeanne d’Arc in her event Warrior Women.

Journalist Julian Glover will be talking about his latest book Man of Iron, highlighting the untold story of Thomas Telford.

Local and renowned poet Gareth Owen will be presenting the words of Lord Byron through poetry, journals and letters.

Saturday’s line up starts with soprano Gemma King and pianist Steve Dunachie, followed by a poetry performance by Tony Walsh. Katie Fforde, author of A Vintage Wedding, Recipe for Love and A French Affair, will be returning to the festival with her insights and tips to success to being a successful fiction writer.

One of the most familiar faces in British comedy, Andy Hamilton, presents his debut novel The Star Witness and topping the bill on Saturday is husband and wife team Peter Snow and Ann Macmillan with their illustrated account of men and women in war with their latest book War Stories.

Sunday begins with a lecture by Simon Bolton on model railway making, creativity, music and the mind as based on his book Scratch-building Model Railway Locomotives.

Karen Argent will be explaining the many interpretations of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, while the Rev Kate Bottley, as seen on Channel 4’s Gogglebox, will be putting forward her unique insights on life.

And to finish the weekend in the biggest fashion possible, the incredible Sir Tony Robinson will be coming to present his long-awaited autobiography, No Cunning Plan.

In addition to the main ticketed events, there will also be an array of free activities including story telling, puppetry and pop-up acts.

Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, or call us on 01584878141 or online at ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk