Henley Literary Festival Adds More Stars from Music, Sport and TV
Graham Nash, David Gower, Liz Jones and Irvine Welsh among latest confirmed for September 30th – October 6th festival
One of the stars of Woodstock will be appearing at a very different festival this autumn – alongside a former England cricket captain, a controversial columnist and a cult novelist.
The Henley Literary Festival, which takes from September 30th to October 6th has added Graham Nash, David Gower, Liz Jones, Kate Adie and Irvine Welsh to this year’s line-up. They join previously announced authors including Ann Widdecombe, Giles Coren, Stella Rimington and Robert Harris at venues across the riverside town.
Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Graham Nash makes his literary festival debut, having starred at both Woodstock and Live Aid with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The former Hollies singer will discuss his upcoming autobiography Wild Tales, on the eve of a UK tour that includes three nights at the Royal Albert Hall.
David Gower, currently fronting Sky’s coverage of the Ashes, will appear on the festival’s opening night, followed on October 1st by Irvine Welsh reading from his Trainspotting prequel Skagboys.
Mail on Sunday columnist and Daily Mail fashion editor Liz Jones, in the headlines again following a Twitter row with Rihanna, will make a rare festival appearance to discuss her memoir Girl Least Likely To. And former BBC news correspondent Kate Adie will talk about the role played by women in the First World War.
Marking October’s Black History Month, television icon Floella Benjamin will describe her journey from arriving in the UK from Trinidad aged three in 1960 to the House of Lords. TV chef Vivek Singh will share recipes from his Cinnamon Kitchen Cookbook.
Other events at the week long festival, sponsored by Laithwaite’s Wine, include poetry readings on the Thames, writing workshops, a special performance of Pride and Prejudice and children’s events.
Tickets go on sale to Friends of the Festival on July 18th and on general sale July 31st at www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk and on 01189 724700 (Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm). There will be a live box office in Henley Marketplace on Saturday August 3rd.
