Wantage Literary Festival Day 2
10 am, Adult £13. Student and Under 14 £8.
Robin Laurance – The Busy Narrow Sea
Robin Laurance’s The Busy Narrow Sea highlights the English Channel, the world’s most traversed maritime route, as a physical and cultural divide between the UK and France. The book explores its rich naval history through diverse figures including monarchs, artists, refugees, athletes, and seafarers. Laurance’s narrative weaves personal stories and pivotal cultural moments, illuminating the Channel’s enduring legacy.
12 pm, Adult £13. Student and Under 14 £8.
Katherine Carter – Churchill’s Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before The Storm
Katherine Carter’s new account reveals how Winston Churchill’s rural home, Chartwell, became the centre of his anti-Nazi efforts in the 1930s. Despite being politically sidelined, Churchill used Chartwell to gather intelligence and convene with figures like Albert Einstein and T.E. Lawrence. Carter narrates these significant yet obscure meetings, showcasing the ensemble of influential individuals who aided Churchill’s crusade against Nazi Germany, ultimately helping to shape history.
2 pm, Adult £13. Student and Under 14 £8.
Martin Sixsmith – My Sins Go With Me: A Story of Heroism and Betrayal in the Dutch Resistance
Renowned British writer and broadcaster Martin Sixsmith, known for his BBC work, presents his latest book, My Sins Go With Me. The book uncovers the story of Anna-Maria van der Vaart, who, during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, sheltered Allied pilots and Jewish refugees while engaging in resistance activities. Through extensive research and interviews, Sixsmith recounts Anna-Maria’s remarkable bravery and heroism in the face of betrayal and adversity.
4 pm, Adult £13. Student and Under 14 £8.
Sarah Ogilvie – The Dictionary People
Sarah Ogilvie, a lexicographer, explores the rich history of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). While James Murray, its longest-serving editor, worked on it for 36 years, the dictionary was a collective effort, completed in 1928 with 414,825 entries from diverse contributors, including archaeologists, murderers, suffragists, and more. Ogilvie delves into unexplored archives, narrating the people’s history of the OED, celebrating the individuals who helped shape this iconic work. Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction 2024.
6 pm, Adult £17.50. Student and Under 14 £12.
Pam Ayres – The Complete Compendium and Other Works
Wantage Literary Festival is pleased to welcome Pam Ayres back to The Beacon. A beloved figure in Wantage, Pam is the top-selling poet in recorded history after Ted Hughes. For nearly half a century, she has brought joy through her performances and poems, including “Pam Ayres on Animals,” the UK’s most popular poetry book of 2021, and “Who Are You Calling Vermin?” Pam has also appeared on TV shows such as “The Cotswolds,” “This Morning,” and “Would I Lie To You?”