Sturminster Newton Literary Festival 2023
On World Book Day, we’re not only celebrating books and reading but announcing our first confirmed events for the 2023 Sturminster Newton Literary Festival. This year we are expanding the festival to include writers with a Wessex connection and are also open to non-fiction. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be announcing more of the programme as it takes shape. You’ll find interesting talks, a dramatic monologue, writing workshops and poetry. Some of our walks are earlier than the festival dates of 5-10 June, so we can maximise the benefits from our insurance policy.
First Confirmed Events
We’re delighted to welcome Libby Page to this year’s festival. Libby will be talking about her new book, The Vintage Shop of Second Chances, on 8 June. We’ve taken the opportunity to collaborate with our local pre-loved Boutique in Sturminster Newton, so the event in the 1855 Building will include a fashion show of vintage clothing. Find out more and book your tickets here.
David Fox will be leading one of his very popular walks, which sold out last year. This year he’s exploring the areas associated with Robert Young in and around Sturminster Newton. That’s Robert Young in the picture below and not David Fox, by the way. You can book his walk on 30 April here.
Thomas Hardy enthusiasts will enjoy the discussion on Beyond Tess on 9 June. Michael Langridge has written a sequel to Tess of the D’Urbervilles and will be discussing his book, The Second Mrs Clare with Dr Tracy Hayes from the Thomas Hardy Society. Book your tickets here.
We’re also delighted to welcome Brian Jackman, who has written a book on nature and wildlife in West Dorset. Best known as a long-time champion of eco-tourism with a special interest in Africa, Dorset author Brian Jackman has been writing about the world’s wild places since the 1970s. At the same time, his monthly “Wild About Dorset” countryside column has been a regular feature in the Eggardon and Colmers View Parish Magazine for the past ten years. These essays have now been put together to produce a book to delight all who love Dorset’s natural world. To hear more about Wild About Dorset at our event on 6 June, book your tickets here.
Treasurer Wanted
We're recruiting for the Sturminster Newton Literary Festival team. We need a new treasurer, and the team is interested in hearing from anyone who is looking for an opportunity to get involved in the community. All festival roles are voluntary- as treasurer, you'll monitor expenditures, help with grant applications, and be involved in invoices and payments around June to coincide with the festival. If you are interested, send us a message at sturlitfest1@gmail.com, and we'll get in touch.
Sherborne Travel Writing Festival
We enjoy collaborating with other teams and festivals. So we’re delighted to include a flier for the Sherborne Travel Writing Festival, which runs from April 14-16 and has lots of excellent speakers.