2017
March 24-26 – Very much looking forward to the Alderney Literary Festival – there’s a great lineup of historical writers. I’ll be talking about the background to “Vita Brevis” and also speaking up for the Britons before dinner on Saturday night – while Simon Turney puts the case for the Romans, and Simon Scarrow attempts to keep the peace. Oh, and there will be dressing-up. Should be fun! LATER – it was: here are the photos.
April 29 – May 1 10am-4pm – Privileged to be part of a “Writers in the Cabin” weekend at beautiful Bucks Mills, North Devon . The cabin, which is rarely open, used to belong to artists Judith Ackland and Mary Stella Edwards, who used it as their studio from the 1920’s until 1971. The National Trust have kept it ‘frozen in time,’ just as it was when they left.
I’ll be there with Wendy Percival on the 29th. Fellow-scribes Janet Few, PJ Reed, Susan Hughes, Liz Shakespeare and Pamela Vass will also be in residence over the weekend.
The location is fabulous but we’ve been warned that there’s no electricity and no plumbing, so visitors may be treated to the sight of us not only writing but dancing.
June 1-4 – The wonderful Eboracum Roman Festival is back! Here’s a link to my post about it from last year, and this year’s is shaping up to be even bigger and better – check the web page for the latest info and the programme. I’ll be in the Authors’ Tent. LATER – a grand time was had by all, and there are photos here to prove it.
June 13 – Looking forward to visiting South Molton Library from 6pm – tickets are £2 from the Library, 01769 572128. I always enjoy library events: they’re usually a meeting-place for kindred spirits.
June 17-18 – Heritage MK Festival of History. This is shaping up to be HUGE. It’s all happening in Campbell Park to celebrate the past of Milton Keynes, a modern city built on a major Roman road. I’ll be in one of the marquees by the amphitheatre (not Roman) with friends from the CLASP archaeology group and other local experts. Grab a few minutes away from the big re-enactment events just up the hill to see real local finds alongside reproduction items, design your own mosaic, say hello and maybe get a book signed.
July 16 – I’ll be at the Rosemoor Book Fair all day. The gardens at Rosemoor are always wonderful but if you come for the Book Fair you’ll also be able to chat to lots of authors, lose yourself in three giant textile books, and meet Archibald, the nine foot dragon. Not to mention taking a trip down memory lane with the Enid Blyton exhibition.
July 25 – Meeting a group of visitors to show off part of Hadrian’s Wall. Always a delight – and a good excuse to post my favourite photo from the last tour:
2 September – reading at the Soapbox Poetry Evening at Ilfracombe Museum
27 September, 2pm – 3.30pm – Tea, cake and Meet the Authors as part of the Appledore Book Festival, an event organised by Bideford’s marvellous Walter Henry’s Bookshop.
28 October – Barnstaple Book Fair. A great lineup is being put together for this – Barnstaple Library‘s attempt to see how many authors they can gather in one place at one time. More details when I have them.
