Wantage Literary Festival Day 1
10 – 10.45am, Age 3+, Adults £10, Children over 1 £8.
Clare and Cory share a (Glorious) Story by Joe Bromley
Join Really Big Pants for “Clare and Cory Share a (Glorious) Story” by Joe Bromley, an interactive, rhyming show about sharing, exploring, and daring. Encouraging children to explore the natural world, the performance is based on a picture book illustrated by award-winning Steve Smallman.
Book signings available.
12PM (noon), Age 11+, Adult £14, Student and Under 14 £8.
Sir Max Hastings Operation Biting
Sir Max Hastings discusses his latest book, Operation Biting, detailing a pivotal British commando mission of WWII.
In February 1942, the RAF discovered a Nazi radar network, Würzburg. Dr. R.V. Jones proposed seizing its components. Churchill and Mountbatten supported the plan, targeting a radar station in Bruneval, Normandy. On the night of February 27-28, 120 men, despite heavy snowfall, dismantled the radar, fought off Wehrmacht defenders, and escaped by sea to Portsmouth. Hastings reveals new intricacies of this daring operation.
2PM, Age 12+, Adult £13, Student and Under 14 £8.
Christina Hart-Davis
Christina Hart-Davies’ The Herbal Year guides readers through the seasonal cycle of plants, blending historical herbal wisdom with poetic insights. Featuring her exquisite watercolour illustrations, the book inspires a deep connection with nature and highlights the enduring importance of botanicals. Christina will showcase her artwork and discuss plant therapy, sharing lore, traditions, and easy home recipes.
4PM, Age 12+, Adult £13.
Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC – Rough Justice
Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC explores four gripping trials she presided over, comparing them to historical cases to examine the evolution of the criminal legal system.
The third full-time female Old Bailey judge, Joseph is now a media expert praised by Clare Mackintosh and others. A judge at the Old Bailey until March 2022, she focused on murder cases and promoted diversity. Her book Unlawful Killings won the CWA Gold Dagger and was a Sunday Times bestseller.