Sturminster Newton Literary Festival News- June 2025
On the eve of the 2025 festival.
With only one day to go, our final plans are falling into place for the 2025 Sturminster Newton Literary Festival. We’re heartened by the amount of support we have received from the public this year, whether through ticket purchases or compliments on the programme, with some events proving to be extremely popular. There is still time to get your tickets here.
Coming to Sturminster Newton
We know many of you are coming to Sturminster Newton from across the South West. You’ll find details of parking here and places to eat here. If you are looking for somewhere to stay, we have that covered too.
If you have some spare time, we have some great local businesses, from a quirky dog accessories shop to local artisanal crafts at 1855. Visit the Emporium for used books and a wide selection of pre-loved items. And for household, gardening, and cookery, there’s the famous Harts of Stur.
As for things to do, there’s an excellent Hardy display in Sturminster Newton Museum. Walk along the river to the Sturminster Newton Mill, which Thomas Hardy wrote about. In St Mary’s Church, you’ll find magnificent stained glass by Mary Lowndes and Harry Clarke. Finally, the North Dorset Trailway links villages between Sturminster Newton and Blandford- take a walk to Shillingstone Station or to the Fiddleford Inn.
Spotlight on Jessica Hepburn
We’re delighted that Jessica Hepburn will be discussing her journey to writing and to sport on Thursday 12th June. Jessica has quite the personal journey, which led to her becoming the first and only woman to have completed the ‘Sea, Street, Summit’ challenge (swim the English Channel, run the London Marathon and climb Mount Everest) in the world. Intriguingly, she had 3000 recordings of Desert Island Discs to keep her company. To find out what motivates Jessica and how she turned to these challenges, get your tickets here.
Book Launch
We’re delighted that Amberley Publishers has named The Shakespeare Ladies Club their Book of the Month for June. The story centres on a group of four ladies who led the campaign to restore Shakespeare’s work to its original format. The ringleader was Susannah Ashley Cooper, Fourth Countess of Shaftesbury from Cranborne Chase, and it’s a fascinating aspect of Dorset history that is relatively unknown. Come and meet the authors on Tuesday 10th June. Sturminster Newton is one of two places in England hosting the authors during their book launch week.
Book Review and a Cancellation
Sadly, due to illness, the event with Damien Lewis on June 14th has been cancelled. Damien hopes to return to Sturminster Newton once he has recovered. However, one of the team has done a review on his latest book which you can read below, and buy a copy here.
SAS Great Escapes Four by Damien Lewis.
I’ve read most of Damien Lewis’ books about the Special Air Service (SAS), but Great Escapes Four was the first of this particular series I have picked up. Being Fourth within the group of titles it did make me wonder if I were a little late to the party, but I am happy to report the book stands up well on its own.
Lewis tells five tales from World War Two where SAS special forces have been sent on a mission behind enemy lines only to find they have been dropped into the wrong area, their mission has failed, or they have been betrayed. The resulting escape and evasion leading to capture, incarceration and escape once more demonstrates the sheer resilience, determination and ability to endure that these men were capable of. Inevitably there is tragedy too.
As one would expect, this book is well researched, simply written for an easy read and not too encumbered by technicalities for someone reading about this type of military history for the first time. If this book inspires people to read more about the subject of World War 2 and those who we owe so much for our freedom today, then Lewis has indeed delivered. I recommend it.
Review by Jim Carter.
Articles
T.E. Lawrence lived in Dorset for many years. It is 90 years since his death, and Dorset Magazine has produced a fascinating article on what happened to his motorbike. Read the story here.
Another feature in the Dorset Magazine June edition is a review of the 2025 Sturminster Newton Literary Festival line-up by Rachael Rowe.
Bookshop
We will be selling festival books at events. However, you can also buy books from our online bookshop. Each sale generates a small commission for us, which we plough back into the festival.