Festival attracts big names

Charles, ninth Earl Spencer, said he chose originality as the theme of the 13th festival, and only one of the speakers has been to a previous festival.

He said: “I have resisted the temptation to stick with past successes, and have gone for freshness and diversity. It’s a lip smacking line up.”

Taking place over four days from Thursday June 30 through to Sunday July 4 the line up of guests includes screenwriter Andrew Davies, whose most recent triumph was War and Peace; actor Brian Blessed; Today broadcaster James Naughtie; journalist and presenter Joan Bakewell; former governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King; historian and television presenter Suzannah Liscomb; investigative journalist and biographer Tom Bower, veteran radio presenter Paul Gambaccini; Classic FM presenter John Suchet and one of Britain’s greatest experts on Shakespeare, Sir Jonathan Bate.

Britain’s bestselling non-fiction author Bill Bryson is making a return visit.

The festival also features a number of local authors including Sue Bentley, Christine L Corton, Damian Collins MP and Lord Charles FitzRoy.

There will be at least nine talks taking place on each of the four days with something to suit all interests.

Complimentary fringe events include live music, poetry and performance art. There will also be pop up shops,a variety of food and drink choices and a spa service.

Tickets are on sale now, £17.50 per session (day tickets offer discounts) available online from www.spencerofalthorp.com or call 01604 770107 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.