FLAMSTEAD BOOK FESTIVAL

The Enigma of who will be appearing at this year's Flamstead Book Festival has finally been cracked.

The 2016 Festival - known as Books in the Belfry - will be held in the picturesque Hertfordshire village just up the road from Redbourn on Friday May 20 and Saturday May 21 with another line-up of top names.

Hertfordshire author DERMOT TURING, the nephew of legendary Bletchley Park code-breaker Alan Turing, will be discussing his biography Decoded on May 21 having had access to family letters and diaries which provided a unique insight into the extraordinary life of the genius whose personal life ended in tragedy.

And bringing the curtain down on the Festival will be West End actor CLIVE HAYWARD. Clive, who has family connections with Redbourn, will be performing prose, poetry and songs penned by some of his favourite writers from the Bard to Bart in a light-hearted show.

The Festival kicks off on the evening of Friday May 20 with novelist RENEE KNIGHT, whose Gone-Girl style thriller Disclaimer was in the bestselling lists earlier this year.

There is an appearance from EDD KIMBER, who won the first series of The Great British Bake-off back in 2010. Dubbed The Boy He Bakes he has written three books the latest being Patisserie Made Simple and will be in conversation about life in the bake off tent with award-winning BBC broadcaster SYBIL RUSCOE over tea and scones.

The programme also features a children's story-telling session, a creative writing boot camp for teenagers and adults and a sports session with journalist ALAN FRASER whose fascinating story The Hitler Trophy - the history of GOLF in the Olympics and its memorable role at the 1936 Games ahead of its return in Rio this summer - is published this month (May).

Festival spokesman Vikki Orvice said: "We are excited about the line-up and hope as many people in the area will once again support Books in the Belfry. We think attracting Dermot Turing, Edd Kimber and Renee Knight is another coup for the Festival, now in its third year, so come along and hear their stories.

"We've tried to make sure there is something for everyone and it promises to be fun, whatever age you are. There are even cream teas too!"

Waterstones in St.Albans is supporting the Festival and will be selling books on both days. You will be able to meet the authors and get books signed. Perfect for holiday reading this summer or presents.

Proceeds will help support the Friends of St Leonard's (FOSL) to raise funds for repairs and maintenance of the village church, including the preservation of the very rare medieval wall-paintings.

Charity Information

Chair : Ian Caldwell
Treasurer : Teresa Finnigan
Secretary : Russell Thomas

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