Upcoming Events:

The Life and Times of John Clare with Hugh Lupton
Thursday 17th November
Thetford Grammar School

“Science and Verse”with Heidi Williamson and Professor Karmadillo
Friday 18th November
Swaffham Ecotech Centre

“Norfolk Tales”Launch event
Tuesday 22nd November
Ceres Bookshop Swaffham

Salley Vickers on “Life,Death,Love and Art”
Wednesday 23rd November
Swaffham Assembly Rooms

“The Bad Beekeeper’s Club”–Bill Turnbull
Friday 25th November
The Cargnegie Rooms Thetford

“The Norfolk Landscape as Character”with Raffaella Barker,Rachel Hore and JeremyPage
Saturday 26th November
Attleborough Town Hall

“Highlights”Launch event –The Attleborough Writers
Saturday 3rd December
Attleborough Town Hall

Welcome to the Breckland Book Festival 2011.

I am delighted to bring you a truly inspirational programme of authors and literary workshops and activities this autumn. As part of our arts offer in Breckland we have put together a varied programme that will appeal to both young and old,with a wide range of genres that will provide something for everyone.

We have attracted nationally recognised writers,such as D.J Taylor who has recently been listed for the Man Booker Prize with ‘Derby Day’,Naomi Wood with her debut novel ‘The Godless Boys’,and national treasure Henry Blofeld. Once again we are delighted to have the support of author Louis de Bernieres,our 2010 Film Festival Patron,who is launching the Festival for us.

We have crime-writers,science writers,children’s writers and poets –even a unique ‘Human Library’ project where you can loan a ‘human book’!  There are authors who are keen to share their individual passions;talking about his book ‘The Bad Beekeeper’s Club’,BBC presenter Bill Turnbull will enlighten us about his trials and tribulations as a bee-keeper.

We also have some extremely talented local authors in the festival with our very own Norfolk legend,Keith Skipper,sharing his bedtime reading for a Norfolk castaway in ‘Desert Island Dusks’.

A calendar of events and workshops is also on offer to our younger residents,so please do take a look at the Children’s events and workshops during the October half term and at weekends.

We are proud to support our local libraries in Breckland and you will see many of the events are taking place in a library near you. Our thanks go to Norwich Arts Centre and Norfolk County Council Library Services for their passion,enthusiasm and support which is truly reflected in this fantastic festival.

I hope that many of you will take advantage of this terrific programme and that it will inspire you to get reading,writing and listening this autumn – and for years to come.

William Nunn

Leader of Breckland Council