Marlborough LitFest is more than just a weekend full of wonderful events. It’s also an opportunity to share the joy and benefit of reading with as many people in and around Marlborough as we possibly can. This includes those, young and old, who can’t attend the festival weekend. We know
After six years as Chair, Genevieve Clarke is handing over to journalist and farmer, Mary-Vere Parr. Genevieve, who took on the role from Jan Williamson after the festival in 2018, commented: “LitFest is a very collaborative venture and it wouldn’t work without everyone’s ideas, energy and creativity. So I’d like
The festival opened with 60 children from Marlborough St Mary’s singing on the steps of the Town Hall and then sixth-formers from St John’s Marlborough debated the responsibilities of being a novelist and younger pupils from Pewsey, Hungerford as well as Marlborough enjoyed a Big School Read with author Candy
Marlborough LitFest celebrated its 15th year last weekend with a packed programme of more than 40 bookish events for all ages and tastes, including big names, first-time authors and a host of free activities for children and families. Audiences came from far beyond the town and the county to enjoy
Marlborough LitFest’s Love Books competition, launched in 2020 in association with English at Bath Spa University, marked its fifth year in 2024. Its aim is to celebrate the power of reading to shift perceptions and to open up opportunities. This national competition invites participants to explain their choice of a
LitFest is delighted that bestselling author Robert Harris will be stepping in to fill Sarah Perry’s slot on Saturday 28 September at 1pm in Marlborough Town Hall after she had to cancel her talk. He will be in conversation with journalist and regular LitFest interviewer Alex Clark. The author of fifteen bestselling novels, Robert Harris
Unfortunately and with great regret Sarah has had to withdraw from her programmed event at Marlborough LitFest on Saturday 28th September at 1pm. We will be in touch with any ticketholders to arrange a refund.
Our 2024 non-fiction line-up covers a wide range of interests, from Shakespeare, royalty, politics, history, nature (including trees and tulips!) singing therapy, a history of childhood reading to food and travel, AI and sport. In particular, we have Eleanor Mills talking about navigating the midlife rollercoaster, Julia Hollander on the power of singing, food and travel writer Caroline Eden reminiscing
Due to the high demand for tickets for his event Marlborough LitFest is delighted to announce a venue change for Sir Simon Russell Beale’s event on Sunday 29 September at 7.30pm. Beale’s previously sold-out talk will now be held at the Memorial Hall, Marlborough College instead of Marlborough Town Hall. Further tickets have been
This year’s Big Town Read, run in association with Wiltshire Libraries, is The Secret Life of John le Carré by Adam Sisman. Following his 2015 biography of le Carré, Sisman identifies the women throughout his life who inspired the spy author’s writing and how they were ultimately an integral part
