I grew up in Leiston, married a local girl and last year, after nearly 40 years living in Norfolk, we moved back. My wife’s family farmed on the outskirts of Leiston, so even though we lived 45 miles away, we remained in touch with what’s happening in the town. But now that we’re living here again, I’ve become more aware of the negative perception people have of the town. Leiston is very different from nearby Aldeburgh and Southwold, having expanded in the late nineteenth century as agricultural engineer Richard Garrett cornered the world market for steam engines.
It was time to challenge people’s negative perceptions
There were two events that prompted me to start a book festival in Leiston. One was that the nearby Aldeburgh Literary Festival sells out in hours and despite trying, in two years I’ve not managed to get a ticket. The second was a conversation with a chap I found myself sitting next to at a lunchtime classical concert at Aldeburgh’s Jubilee Hall. He asked if I lived in Aldeburgh, and I replied, no I live at Leiston. His reply shocked me; “Oh, we don’t get many people from Leiston here,” he said, “they’re not educated!”
Luckily the lights went down and the concert started before I could challenge his false assumption, but his comment stayed with me and somehow summarised the way people look down on Leiston and its residents. I decided then, to do what I could to challenge the negative perceptions people have of my home town.
I started with something I know
Over the years, I’m met lots of angry people, fighting injustice and inequality in ways that quickly land them in hot water. I’ve learned that it’s always best when sticking your neck out, to be sure of your ground, and for me as an author that means doing something with books. Of course books are almost synonymous with education in the minds of many, so organising a book festival is a pretty good way of showing the world that we’re not as daft here as some might think.
I also knew the importance of being different from what is already on the market, so decided to give Leiston Book Festival and strong theme that would clearly differentiate it from others. I also wanted the event to encourage people to deepen their understanding of pressing local issues.
Most, deep down are a little worried about our changing climate
So I pulled together a small team, secured some sponsorship from both Leiston’s Town Council and Sizewell Creative, an arts initiative created by EDF who operate the nearby nuclear power station, and invited authors whose work I respect, to get involved. On stage we will have six authors, each with a book that explores our evolving landscape and environment from a different perspective.
Two writers will be talking about the past, as they have written about oral historians George Ewart Evans and Adrian Bell. Another journeyed round the UK to understand why bird numbers are declining and others explore landscapes, both distant and on our doorstep. Halesworth Bookshop have helped me organise the festival and will be running a pop-up bookshop on the day.
I want people to discover writers they’ve not encountered before
I’m as guilty as anyone of going to a festival and only booking tickets to see writers whose books I’ve read and enjoyed. But that’s to miss the opportunity to discover new writers, and widen your reading horizons. So we’re not selling tickets for each session, but one price that covers all six sessions on the day. With a strong theme running throughout, we think conversations round the room will develop as each speaker is interviewed on stage, then questioned by the audience.
Our ticketing is being handled by Leiston Film Theatre, which means you can choose your seat. Groups of friends might choose to sit together, or like me, you might just want to sit near the front so you can hear clearly.
A lot of people will travel to attend Leiston Book Festival
Yes, I know I started this to prove a point, but I’m also pragmatic enough to know that a good number of those who attend won’t be local. Environmental change, land use, regenerative farming, wildlife habitat loss and of course the planned Sizewell C nuclear power station and its proximity to Minsmere RSPB bird reserve are all hot topics at the moment. As a festival organiser I just want to create a forum where informed debate can take place.
Non-fiction authors, of whom I am one, play an important part in the national debate, because they make time to dig deep into a subject, and then write a book about it that gives others a chance to broaden their own knowledge. Our venue has 240 seats and I’d not be surprises if we sold them all!
This is not motivated by profit
There’s much controversy about Baillie Gifford and their sponsorship of the big literary festivals. We’ve had a little local sponsorship, and being largely volunteer run, our costs are modest. Any surplus from this year’s festival will go towards making next year’s even better. We’re happy to accept sponsorship, but would never let a sponsor bias our choice of authors, or influence the subjects they explore on stage.
How can I buy a ticket?
Tickets for the full day’s programme (which runs from 10am to 5pm with a break for lunch and networking) costs £50 and can be booked here.
Events taking place this weekend (tickets available at time of writing):
Norfolk:
There’s a lot going on in North Norfolk!
Sheringham Potty Festival Saturday 6 and Sunday July, all day. Morris dancing and folk music in Sheringham… Lots of Morris dancers: in 2018 Sheringham took the Guinness World Record for Largest Morris Dance, with 369 Morris Dancers from 33 sides dancing the same dance at the same time. Oh, and Potty refers to Lobster Pots in case you’re wondering. Town Centre and surrounding streets. NR 28 8
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Sheringham, Weybourne & Holt – Vintage Transport Festival Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July, all day. See the website for full details of what to see when and prices. Throughout the weekend you can ride on classic trains and buses, including a Victorian Steam train and Heritage Railcar. On Sunday, hundreds of classic cars, vintage buses and motorbikes descend on the steam railway to create a colourful display. Weybourne Station will display vehicles from the North Norfolk Minors club and a selection of classic motorbikes, and the exhibition field at Holt will be taken over with a stunning array of over 300 classic vehicles! Details of how to find the stations here but note there is no parking at Weybourne during the event.
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Kings Lynn Festival Too Friday 5 – Saturday 6 July, also 12 – 13 July, all 18:30 – 23:00, plus daytime on the Saturdays. It is into its 39th year, offering an eclectic mix of free music and entertainment, with acts from Punch and Judy to The Amy Winehouse Band. Evenings: Tuesday Market Place, Saturdays daytime: Kings Lynn High Street.
Suffolk:
Pax Festival returns to Thorington Theatre, Saturday 6 July, 15:00 – 22:30. Suitable for ages 7+ (babes in arms free), this event packs in live music, workshops (including wine tasting and drawing, both at extra cost), market stalls, food vans and a storytelling Bard. Admission £50, 4 Adults £170. Thorington Theatre, Thorington, IP17 3RB
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Ipswich Music Day Sunday 7 July, 12 pm – 8 pm, Free! The largest free one-day music festival in the UK, offers a fantastic celebration of music, culture, and local talent. The event features five stages of live performances by emerging local artists, plus Indian Summer Mela along with fairground rides for both children and adults, street food, and a vibrant marketplace. Free entry, on-site parking £15, card only (blue badge free) via Park Road. Christchurch Park, Ipswich.
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Lots going on at Rougham Control Tower Aviation Museum! Saturday 6 July 3 pm – 7:30 pm and Sunday 7 July 10 am – 4 pm
Saturday: Tea Dance, Military Vehicles, Re-Enactors, 1940’s Dress Optional. Food and Light Refreshments available from the BBQ and TeaRoom. £10.00 pp, sandwiches included, BBQ extra.
Sunday: “Echoes of the Past”: Reenactors, military vehicles, classic/retro cars, BBQ and tombola. Service of Remembrance at 12.00 noon; Talk by 94th Historian Cliff Hall 12.30 pm; Battle reenactment 13.30 approx. Please be aware there will be loud bangs during the skirmish so please protect children and animals. Free.
[email protected] Parking will be in Museum car park and field next to the site, please park sensibly as space is limited. Rougham Tower Avenue, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7QB
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Waveney Valley
Bressingham Bricks Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 July. The bricks are back at Bressingham Steam Museum! LEGO train and other layouts on display, plus build and play pits and trade stands. Online tickets 50p cheaper, prices from Adult £15.90, Child 3-16 £10.49, under 3s Free. Bressingham Steam Museum, Low Road, Bressingham, Diss, IP22 2AA
Essex:
Family Fun Day at Brentwood Library Saturday 6 July 11:00 am – 3:30 pm Magic show, puppets, disco, games, snacks and drinks (included in entrance price). £10 per child, adults go free. Tickets from Brentwood Library Help Desk or Eventbrite (where booking fee applies). The website also has information about events in libraries across Essex. New Rd, Brentwood CM14 4BP
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Frinton Summer Theatre starts its season with Chariots of Fire, Saturday 6 July, 15:00 and 19:30, to Saturday 13 July. A stage adaptation of the film about the battle between Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams in the run-up to the Paris Olympics in 1924. The lay-out of the McGrigor Hall has had to be changed to stage sprint races. Tickets £20 – £27. There are 6 more productions through to the 1 September, for details see here. McGrigor Hall, Fourth Ave, Frinton-on-Sea CO13 9EB
Hertfordshire:
Letchworth City Chorus present It’s About Time Saturday 6th July, 2:30 – 5:00 pm, with songs from film, pop music, theatre and the West End. Adult: £10, Child: £5, with refreshments available in the intermission. Tickets from David’s Bookshop or by card on the door. Free Church, Norton Way South, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1NX.
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Sign of the Times Festival Friday 5th to Sunday 7th July 2024. Three packed days of rock, indie, pop, punk, britpop, ska, mod, alternative, and much, more, is heading to Sign of the Times Festival for a fourth year. With a host of brilliant bands and legendary artists, across the huge Main Outdoor Stage and Big Top Stage, this will be one of the festivals of the Summer. Church End, Nr Little Hadham, Hertfordshire, SG11
Bedfordshire:
Young Driver (MORE course) Saturday 6 July, 9:00 – 4:35 pm 16-30 years olds. Free for Bedfordshire residents. A great opportunity for non-drivers to have a session with an instructor, plus theory lessons, and for drivers to enhance their skills. Parents must accompany under-18s and there is a parents’ workshop to provide advice. Book here ( ) . Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Millbrook, Bedford, MK45 2JQ
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Toddington Open Gardens Saturday 6th July, 11.00 am to 5.00 pm & Sunday 7th July 1.00 pm to 6.00 pm There will be about 10 gardens open across the two days. Most gardens will be open on both days but please check the programme for details. Plant stall in the churchyard and refreshments, etc. in the Wilkinson Church Hall, next to the church in the centre of the village. The cost is only £5, with accompanying children free, for one or both days. Tickets can be bought at the Wilkinson Church Hall or at any of the participating gardens which will be sign-posted. Toddington, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 6BP
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Bedford’s Italian Festival returns: Sunday 7 July, 12 noon – 6 pm Live music, good food, arts and crafts, and children’s activities. Free. For details see link Harpur Square and St Paul’s Square, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MF40 1SX
Cambridgeshire:
Bottisham at War presented by Bottisham Airfield Saturday 6 – Sunday July, 10:30 am – 4 pm For the 1940s enthusiasts, with this year’s re-enactment battle taking us back to D-Day – with allied paratroopers attacking a heavily fortified German bunker and trench system. Live 1940’s singers on both days and vintage trade stalls. On the Saturday there will be a vintage fashion show and on the Sunday, Swing Dance demonstrations and lessons.
Admission includes entrance to the museum and Flying tractor Cafe. Tickets are cheaper in advance: Adults £10, OAPs/Children £5, Family £22 per day, Weekend Adult £25, all plus booking fee, from Eventbrite Bottisham Airfield Museum, Wilbraham Road, Cambridge, CB25 9BU
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If you fancy an evening of laughter after all the serious stuff on Polling Day, try Sukh Ojla: The Aunty Years, Saturday 6th July, 7:30 pm at the Cambridge Junction. Comedian, actor and writer Sukh keeps being told she’s successful, but still feels like “a toddler who has lost their mum in Tesco’s”.
Tickets £18, strictly 18+ only, from Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge, CB1 7GX
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Artist Rose Scott’s contribution to Cambridge Open Studios 6-7 July & also 20-21 July, 10:00-17:00. Rose’s interest in horizontal layers is deeply expressive of the land/seascapes in North Norfolk, Suffolk and the Fens that she loves. Price of admission for adults and children: free. St Barnabas Press, 9 Belfast Yard, Coldham’s Road, Cambridge CB1 3EW
Buckinghamshire:
There’s a huge amount going on at the Newport Pagnall Carnival Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July midday on, with the theme Heroes and Villains. Different parades on the two days, arena events, a Fun Run, music, open mic, stalls, games, tombola, car boot sale, Vintage motor rally, the big duck race.. Saturday entrance £2 adults, £1 concessions (under 5s free). If you would like to enter the parade or show your vehicle, etc. please see here. Riverside Meadow, Newport Pagnell
Riverside Meadow, Newport Pagnell, Free Parking: Access point via Welland Drive, MK16 9DX
This list is far from comprehensive, reflecting the interests of the EAB team and their friends. If you have an upcoming event you would like us to include, please get in touch by writing to: [email protected]
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