Where do the months go? One moment members of the LitFest committee are scouring the books pages for authors, devising our programme and sharing our plans with local business sponsors. The next we’re welcoming around 40 writers – first-timers alongside big names – to the Green Room in the Town Hall, giving them a Marlborough bun from Waitrose and fixing their microphones. And then it’s time to take down the banners and tidy away the LitFest mugs and badges for another year. All over in a flash but such fun while it lasts and worth all the preparation.
The aim of LitFest is to bring authors and their books of all kinds to Marlborough for young and old alike. This year’s Once Upon a Trail got the shops along the High Street involved ahead of time with families pressing their noses to windows to match clues made by Aldbourne Children’s Book Group to children’s book titles. Children from Marlborough St Mary’s kicked off festivities with a song on the Town Hall steps, sixth formers from St John’s Academy came to debate how love is depicted in literature, and free author events were laid on in Pewsey and Marlborough for pupils from 15 local primary schools. Over the weekend a troupe of jesters promoted storytelling sessions at The Parade Cinema, Ducklings toy shop and St Peter’s and Marlborough Library was buzzing with a performance of The Ugly Duckling and craft activities.
The Town Hall was awash with crowds arriving for by talks by such luminaries as Tory peer Daniel Finkelstein, acclaimed Irish novelist Sebastian Barry and local bestselling writer Robert Harris. Stand-up classicist Natalie Haynes entertained a younger audience at Marlborough College on Saturday night. Mike Brearley pulled in the sports fans on Sunday morning along with football writers including Radio 4 comedian Andy Hamilton, with former England player and manager Tony Adams in the audience. History lovers were treated to everything from the language of Shakespeare to SAS derrring-do. Novelists included Charlotte Mendelson, Amanda Craig and debut firebrand Ashleigh Nugent. Walking enthusiasts enjoyed Times correspondent Christopher Somerville talking about the ‘bones’ of our beautiful island. Young journalist Tomiwa Owolade gave us a new perspective on race in Britain.
The White Horse Bookshop did brisk business in the Town Hall as people queued to get their books signed and an army of volunteers served tea and cake in the Festival Café. LitFest patron, renowned actor and local resident Sir Simon Russell Beale proudly welcomed authors while children excitedly clutched their new books by top children’s writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce. We hope there was something for everyone as books took centre stage in the town for the 14th year of Marlborough LitFest.
Marlborough LitFest will return for its 15th year from 26-29 September 2024.