02/07/10…TAL festival bursts on to Thame’s social calendar

THAME’S inaugural Arts & Literature Festival has been hailed a tremendous success after some 1,450 festival goers attended 30 events involving 40 visiting
authors, a classical music concert, two art shows and a brand new rock-musical.

For those of us who were away on holiday or missed the festival for various reasons, here for Thamenews.net, are the festival highlights from co-founder and festival organiser, Yvonne Maxwell.

“Over a hundred children came to see Steve Cole on the
Friday morning, June 25, after which the adults were
bowled over by Prof John Sutherland?s literary
sleuthing and Nick Barratt?s stories of the Lost
Voices of the Titanic.

Phyllida Law being interviewed by Bruce Alexander was simply wonderful and John Fox?s tale of local heroine, Jane Whorwood, had us terrified and fascinated in equal measure. Vincent Strudwick delivered the Founder?s Lecture on John Hooker and his enormous book, in his inimitable style being both challenging and amusing.

“Friday finished with victory for the Oxfam Bookshop team at the Literary Quiz which was compiled and run by quizmaster extraordinaire, Richard Balkwill.

“Saturday?s delights began with Emma Chichester Clark and lots of children in the town hall and we were particularly pleased to be invited to Rycote Manor
Barn where Alison Weir brought us the amazing story of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

“Our Crime Panel of Barry Forshaw, SJ Bolton and Veronica Stallwood was very well received by a very
knowledgeable and appreciative audience as our three writers discussed their works and inspirations. In the Museum, Sandra Smith looked at moving from Pen to Publication while Marilyn Yurdan talked about keeping your own personal history.

The afternoon was rounded off in the Stables at
the James Figg where no less than five romantic fiction writers held court over a glass of bubbly, tea and a cup-cake. Catherine Jones, Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews, Judy Astley and Sara Craven brought us a feast of fiction with humorous readings and recollections. What better way to spend an afternoon!”

Thame’s own “Chick-lit” queen, Catherine Jones, aka Kate Lace, who chaired Tea with the Romantic Novelists, said afterwards: “Romance, pink fizz and cup-cakes – what could be a better combination on a fabulous summer’s afternoon? The romantic novelists themselves were thrilled to bits at the wonderful audience who eschewed Wimbledon, the weather, Glastonbury and the World Cup to hear them talk about their books and their writing. Afterwards they were all happy to sign copies of their books for their fans.”