More than 50 speakers are set to take part in the Lichfield Literature Festival.
The event runs from September 29 to October 7 and will see the addition of a new venue as a marquee will be erected on the site of the old Friary, while performances will also continue at the George Hotel.
British comedy legend Barry Cryer is the guest for this year’s Literary Dinner, while Perrier-award winner Jenny Eclair and alternative comic Alexei Sayle also bring their unique brands of humour to Lichfield.
Other names booked to appear include former royal correspondent Jennie Bond, radio star Fi Glover, Times columnist Matthew Parris, controversial Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, broadcaster and journalist Andy Kershaw, humorist and raconteur Gervase Phinn, the Guardian’s brilliant parodist John Crace, and – marking Charles Dickens’ 200th anniversary – his great great great granddaughter Lucinda Dickens Hawksley.
Fans of Only Fools and Horses can book a date with Boycie himself, as John Challis comes to talk about his acting career, while and followers of Eastenders and Gavin and Stacey will be able to enjoy an evening with Larry Lamb.
Peace envoy and one-time hostage Terry Waite will talk about his extraordinary life, while modern politics is represented by former cabinet minister Peter Hain, talking about his journey from militant anti-apartheid campaigner in South Africa to a place at the heart of the British Establishment. Lord Digby Jones closes the Festival with his views on how the British economy can be jolted back to life.
History lovers will be able to enjoy biographies of Sir Francis Walsingham, Prince Albert, and Lichfield’s own local luminary Erasmus Darwin.
Anyone wondering about the practicalities of time travel should set a date to see Brian Clegg reveal How to Build Your Own Time Machine, while those of a scientific or mathematical bent will also enjoy discussions on the nature of infinity, modern developments in neuroscience, and most importantly, what maths reveals about sport.
For more information, call 01543 306270 or visit www.lichfieldfestival.org.
