The inaugural Heywood House Literary Festival captivated more than 350 attendees over the weekend, offering an eclectic mix of renowned authors, historians and comedy, along with gourmet lunches.
Held at the picturesque Heywood House near Westbury, the event marked a successful debut, combining intellectual discussions with moments of humour and insight.
The weekend started with an electric interview with Sarah Churchwell, author of ‘America: The Wrath to Come’. Churchwell’s unrivalled insight into American politics meant the bookshop, run by Hunting Raven Books of Frome, sold out of her works.
The authors and guests then ate a two-course lunch together, before Tim Marshall, whose paperbacks made up three of the Top 10 Sunday Times Bestseller list in 2023, talked of the Future of Geography.
Event director, Ryan Child said, “I was so pleased with our first day. The food was incredible and the authors were so accessible and engaging in every way. You didn’t need to have any interest in their subjects to be completely glued to their talks.
“Our presenter Hannah MacInnes had a lot to do with that, I think, as she was so good. Her mock interview in the afternoon slot with Rosie Holt was genuinely one of the funniest 50 minutes I’ve seen in, forever.
“Rosie Holt is one of the most well-known comedians online and there was a sense the audience were seeing a performer right on the cusp of becoming a mainstream name.”
The event, run by Captain Events, moved into Sunday with a talk from Dr Sue Stuart-Smith on the proven link between time spent in the natural world and good mental health.
“It was a fascinating talk that preceded Chris Blackhurst’s dark tale on the power and politics of Alex Ferguson, Manchester United and Irish Horse Breeders,” added Ryan.
Clare Asquith shared her controversial, brilliantly researched theories on Shakespeare’s subversive messages at 2pm. The lively Q and A ran over time as the hands flew up for 20 minutes. At this point organisers had to shimmy the audience and Clare into the bookshop so they could prepare for the final, sold-out show.
With the stage set and the blinds drawn, more than 100 people crammed into the main hall for New York Times bestselling historian, Dan Jones’ talk on Henry V. He was launching his new book, ‘Henry V – The astonishing rise of England’s Greatest Warrior King’, in what was a huge coup for this small but now very much cemented literary festival right here in West Wiltshire.
Regency Chess, purveyors of the world’s finest chess boards, sponsored the literary event at Heywood House, where the eclectic, Jacobean halls are usually available for office space and meeting room hire.
