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www.wayswithwords.co.uk01803 867373

Twenty Years of Words, Words, Words (as Shakespeare would say)

It has been a year of anniversaries. Twenty years ago we started our first Ways With Words festival at Dartington Hall in Devon. This year in March we celebrated ten years of Words by the Water, our 10 day festival on the banks of Derwentwater in Cumbria.

A few years after we started our festival at Dartington Hall we added Southwold Ways With Words to our activities. I knew that a festival focusing on books and ideas would be popular in Suffolk and so it has proved. Whatever the topic, whoever the speaker, Suffolk audiences have shown great curiosity and open mindedness.

Sometimes people ask which is our favourite festival. It is impossible to say. Each has huge charm and takes place in settings much loved by the visitors and writers.

All Ways With Words’ festivals have grown and flourished over the years. Raise a glass of Adnams beer to the longevity of words and books and ideas.

Cheers – and thank you to all who have supported Ways With Words for so many years.

Kay Dunbar, Stephen Bristow, Chloë Bar-Kar, Videl Bar-KarWays With Words’ Directors

TH

UR

SDAY

10

NO

VEM

BER

Tony Bennlooking to the future1) 1pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Tony Benn is well known for his challenging

and controversial views. Now he has

turned his attention to the problems facing

the next generation in ‘Letters to my

Grandchildren’. The world our children are

born into is vastly different from that of

their grandparents. What lessons will help

this generation avoid previous mistakes?

Lucinda Lambton (1)Beastly Buildings3) 4pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Lucinda Lambton is known for her interest

in unusual buildings. Her book, ‘Palaces for

Pigs’, shows her discovery of all sorts of

eccentric animal buildings, from castles for

goats to pyramids for pigs. Her talk about

this phenomenon will be illustrated with

her own photographs.

Penelope LivelyReading Addiction2) 2.30pm St Edmunds’s Hall £10

Reading Addiction affects many of us,

especially those who come to literary

festivals. The Booker Prize winning author

Penelope Lively, whose latest novel is

‘How it All Happened’, talks about her own

book-infested life, about the directions her

reading has taken, and the way in which

her writing has been shaped by what she

has read.

Melvyn BraggBook of Books4) 5.30pm St Edmund’s Church £10

In its 400th anniversary year, Melvyn Bragg,

one of our finest authors and broadcasters,

has written the definitive history of one of

the most influential books in the English

language. In the splendid setting of St

Edmund’s Church in Southwold he tells

the political, linguistic and literary stories

behind The King James Bible.

TH

UR

SDAY

10 NO

VEM

BER

On Friday 11 November from

6.30pm - 7.30pm Adnams

invites festival-goers to call in

to the Cellar & Kitchen Store

on Victoria Street to sample

some wine and browse round

the store.

After all, it is nearly Christmas.

Adnams’ Cellar & Kitchen Store

FRID

AY 1

1 N

OV

EMBE

R

Juliet BarkerThe Brontës Revisited5) 10am St Edmund’s Hall £10

Juliet Barker, the foremost expert on the

Brontës, has revised her 1994 biography of

this astonishingly creative family.

She gives a vivid picture of 19th century

Yorkshire and an intimate chronicle of the

Brontës’ daily lives in Haworth.

Joanna TrollopeDaughters-in-Law6) 11.30am St. Edmund’s Hall £10

In Joanna Trollope’s latest novel a mother

with three sons finds that she is becoming

less important to them as their wives

become more relevant to their lives.

With her usual wisdom and insight Joanna

Trollope examines the fraught relationship

of mothers, sons and daughters-in-law.

Jon Canteryou’re having a laugh!7) 1pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Jon Canter has spent his writing life making

people laugh, from his time at Cambridge

where he was President of Footlights to

his recent comedy writing for Lenny Henry

and Arabella Weir. He has written three

comic novels, the latest, ‘Worth’, is set in a

Suffolk village – familiar territory as he lives

on the Suffolk coast.

How does he make us laugh?

FRID

AY 11 N

OV

EMBER

Lucinda Lambton (2)Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House8) 2.45pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Designed by Lutyens, this famous dolls’

house recreates the time when an English

man’s home was his castle. Yet it is the less

grand views that enchant: the tin of Vim,

the dish of Bronco paper on the WC, Lux

soap flakes.

Lucinda Lambton, who is passionate about

places, people and the past, shows us

around this miniature, magical world.

Julia BlackburnExploring an Italian Mountain Village9) 4.15pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Julia Blackburn and her Dutch husband

Herman live in an old house high above

the Ligurian coast. Their village was at the

heart of the conflict between the fascists

and the partisans, so the inhabitants learnt

a lot about death and fear and hunger and

how men and women could hide like foxes

in the mountains. In her latest book, ‘Thin

Paths’, Julia Blackburn explores the people

and landscape of her Italian mountainside.

She shares her stories today.

Margaret DrabbleSocial Changes, Short Stories10) 5.45pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Margaret Drabble’s penetrating evocations

of character and place, her wide-ranging

curiosity and her sense of irony are all on

display in her recent collection of short

stories that explore the social changes of

the past 40 years. She offers her perceptive

observations on what is vital to human

beings.

SAT

UR

DAY

12

NO

VEM

BER

Martin BellFrom Television to Politics to Poetry11) 10am St Edmund’s Hall £10

In original verse Martin Bell offers

a personal response to his life. He

chronicles his time as a war reporter,

as an independent MP and as a UNICEF

ambassador. It is a funny, honest and

moving account of his experiences and

shows that he can add ‘poet’ to his many

accomplishments.

William Feaver talks to Jon BlairThe Pitmen Painters12) 11.45am St Edmund’s Hall £10

The noted art critic, William Feaver, author

of the book on which Lee Hall based his

play, ‘The Pitmen Painters’, tells their story

to Oscar-winning director Jon Blair. Jon’s

documentary, ‘Robson Green and the

Pitmen Painters’, was broadcast on ITV

earlier this year. What can we learn from

these working class men in North East

England who joined an art class in 1934?

Patrick BarkhamA Passion for Butterflies13) 2.15pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Patrick Barkham spent his childhood

holidays chasing butterflies with his father.

What was a youthful hobby has developed

into an adult passion. Guardian columnist,

Patrick Barkham, is recognised as one of

the best of the new-wave of nature writers.

He will analyse his fascination with British

butterflies and attempt to infect you with

his enthusiasm.

Don’t let this event flutter by.

SATU

RD

AY 12 N

OV

EMBER

Gervase PhinnYorkshire Tales14) 4pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Gervase Phinn’s stories come from more

than 60 years of teaching, inspecting

schools and Yorkshire life. His latest books

are ‘The Little Village School’ and ‘Out of

the Woods but not Over the Hill’.

Expect an hilarious time.

Andrew DaviesThe Thrill of the Chaste15) 5.30pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Everyone remembers Colin Firth’s

wet shirt in Andrew Davies’ television

version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ but this

is just one of many memorable moments

from this much lauded writer. He has

been responsible for many blockbuster

adaptations for film and television:

‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’, ‘Little Dorrit’, ‘Dr

Zhivago’, ‘Brideshead Revisited’ as well as

many original plays and novels. His latest

television adaptation was ‘South Riding’.

He tells us how he does it.

SUN

DAY

13

NO

VEM

BER

Joan BakewellShe’s Leaving Home16) 11.30am St Edmund’s Hall £10

The thoughtful and much-respected

broadcaster, Baroness Bakewell, has turned

to fiction to reflect on recent history: the

late 1950s. It is a time of many escapes:

Nureyev defects in London; Gagarin leaves

the Earth’s atmosphere to be the first man

in space; the Beatles escape the dreariness

of Liverpool to seek their fortune in

Hamburg. In Britain the drab 50s are giving

way to the lively 60s and the young sense

it. She addresses the intensity and passion

that made the sixties an iconic decade.

John SergeantGive Me an Hour17) 1pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

John Sergeant was in front of the camera at

some of the most significant and dramatic

events of our times.

In his book, ‘Give Me Ten Seconds’, he tells

of what he has seen and who he has met.

Now he’ll talk and answer questions about

life as it has unfolded to John Sergeant.

Tilly’s Tours with Ian Miller10am & 2.30pm £8

See Southwold from a different perspective on an hour’s bus tour in Olive, a single-decker vintage bus, and hear the town’s stories from Ian Miller, author of local bestseller, ‘A Brief History of Southwold’.Ian has been described by the Southwold Organ as, “An ebullient uncle who can’t wait to share the town’s secrets and eccentricities . . . someone who still views the place with the freshness of a holiday-maker’s eyes but also knows it like the back of his hand.”

Join Olive - and Ian - at St Edmund’s Hall.Booking in advance essential.(This event is not included in the packages.)

SUN

DAY

13 NO

VEM

BER

Ian BostridgeReflections of a Singer18) 2.30pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Ian Bostridge is one of the outstanding

singers of our time, celebrated both for the

quality of his voice and for the exceptional

intelligence he brings to bear on the

interpretation of the repertoire of the past

and present alike. In ‘A Singer’s Notebook’,

through short essays and reviews, he gives

an intriguing glimpse into his mind and

motivation.

He talks to Professor Richard Stokes of

the Royal Academy of Music.

Maureen LipmanI Must Collect Myself19) 4pm St Edmund’s Hall £10

Maureen Lipman, a much-loved and

admired actress, has the knack of making

the ordinary absurd and the everyday

entertaining. Encounters on the street, at

the hairdresser’s, home and abroad: all

provide material for her stories, some of

which we’ll hear today.

Sam Leith - Literary DinnerYou Talkin’ To Me? Rhetoric from Aristotle to Obama20) 7 for 7.30pm Swan Hotel, Southwold

£50 (to include a copy of Sam Leith’s book)

Sam Leith, columnist and former literary

editor of the Telegraph, casts a witty,

elegant look into the art of persuasion.

Rhetoric, he argues, isn’t the exclusive

preserve of politicians: it’s everywhere,

from your argument with the insurance

company to your plea to the waitress for a

table near the window.

Rhetoric is what gives words power.

MO

ND

AY 1

4 N

OV

EMBE

R

Salley VickersDiffering Shades of Love21) 10.30am St Edmund’s Hall £10

Salley Vickers, author of many

thought-provoking books including

‘Miss Garnett’s Angel’, explores the

complex geography of the human

heart in her new collection of short

stories. Love given, withheld, lost,

met: she examines all shades.

Martin GayfordTalking to Hockney22) 12 noon St Edmund’s Hall £10

For more than a decade the art critic

Martin Gayford has had many conversations

with the remarkable painter David Hockney

who, with passion and humour, reflects on

the problems of representing a three-

dimensional world on a flat surface.

Martin Gayford will tell of his time spent

talking to Hockney and hearing his

shrewd insights on painting, California and

Yorkshire.

DAY TICKETSYou can buy tickets to all of the events on a particular day at a reduced rate.

See the booking form for details.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Ways With Words (WWW) reserves the right without prior warning to alter the programme if circumstances dictate.

For full details of our policy on event cancellations, ticket refunds, exchanges and re-sales please refer to the website www.wayswithwords.co.uk/terms

LOST / STOLEN TICKETS: Please take great care of your tickets. WWW will not replace lost tickets.

No unauthorised photographing or recording of events.

Become a Friend of Ways With Words

Many people use the Friends’ early booking scheme when applying for tickets for Southwold.

There are 4 levels of Friends starting at £15 per annum.

Contact Ways With Words on 01803 867373 or email admin@wayswithwords.co.uk

Beyond festivals . . .Holiday Courses with Ways With Words

Be Creative, Be Imaginative, Be Thoughtful – or just have a good rest at

Villa Pia, Umbria, Italy Fingals, Dittisham, DevonWriting, Reading, Art Writing and Reading courseand Discussion Workshops 13 – 18 May 2012Week one: 24 Sept. – 1 Oct. 2011Week two: 1 - 8 Oct. 2011

Both places have a swimming pool, inspiring landscapes, lovely local walks and delicious food.

All abilities are catered for. All activities are optional. www.wayswithwords.co.uk Tel. 01803 867373

PACKAGES Ways With Words offers half-board (dinner, B&B) packages inclusive of tickets at both the Swan Hotel and the Crown Hotel in Southwold.

The Swan package is for 4 nights (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun) and includes tickets for all events during the festival and the literary dinner (except Tilly’s Tours).

The Crown package is for 4 nights (as Swan above) or 3 nights (Fri, Sat, Sun) including tickets for all events on Sat, Sun & Mon and the literary dinner (except Tilly’s Tours).

In each room there will be discount vouchers to the value of £50 for use in Adnams’ Hotels and the Wine Cellar and Kitchen Store.

Packages can be booked at any time using the form opposite or by telephone - 01803 867373(NB. The Ways With Words office will have limited opening until 20 August)

Both hotels are offering a free dinner for guests wishing to stay on Wednesday 9th and/or Monday 14th. Please phone the hotel where you are staying quoting ‘WWW 5th Night’.Swan Hotel: 01502 722186Crown Hotel: 01502 722275These must be booked in advance.

HOW TO BOOKThe booking form opposite can be used to book packages and tickets for individual events.

Please send with s.a.e. to:Ways With Words, Droridge Farm,Dartington, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6JG

Payments by cheque (to ‘Ways With Words’) Please leave the amount in figures blank. On the line for amount in words write: “not to exceed: (the amount of your order in words)”. Then sign the cheque. This is in case some of your order is not available, in which case we shall complete your cheque for the lesser amount unless you tell us to do otherwise.

Bookings using credit/debit card can be made on this form, by telephone: 01803 867373and online: www.wayswithwords.co.uk (online ticket sales available from 6 September.)

PLEASE NOTE:Friends’ booking for tickets will start on Tuesday 30 August (post & phone only)(2 tickets per event limit).General booking will start on Tuesday 6 September.Any postal bookings received before these dates will be filed but will not be processed until booking opens.

PACKAGESPrices are per person.Please circle the package you would like. Swan Crown Crown 4 night 4 night 3 nightLighthouse Stnd. £568 N/A N/A single occ. £773 N/A N/AStandard £589 £537 £408 single occ. £804 N/A N/AClassic / Superior £636 £579 £439 single occ. £852 N/A N/APremier / Suite £699 £621 £471Single Room £647 £631 £476

Booking ConditionsPayment in full is required at the time of booking. Cancellations cannot be refunded. Customers are strongly advised to take out holiday insurance.

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If some of your order is unavailable we will sell you the tickets which are available unless you say otherwise.

Event £ No.1) Tony Benn 102) Penelope Lively 103) Lucinda Lambton (1) 104) Melvyn Bragg 10All-day Thursday 365) Juliet Barker 106) Joanna Trollope 107) Jon Canter 108) Lucinda Lambton (2) 109) Julia Blackburn 1010) Margaret Drabble 10All-day Friday 5411) Martin Bell 1012) William Feaver & Jon Blair 1013) Patrick Barkham 1014) Gervase Phinn 1015) Andrew Davies 10All-day Saturday 4516) Joan Bakewell 1017) John Sergeant 1018) Ian Bostridge 1019) Maureen Lipman 10All-day Sunday 3620) Literary Dinner - Sam Leith 50 phoneT1) Tilly’s Tour (10am) 8T2) Tilly’s Tour (2.30pm) 821) Salley Vickers 1022) Martin Gayford 10

Tickets & Information01803 867373www.wayswithwords.co.uk

Joan BakewellTony BennIan BostridgeMelvyn BraggAndrew DaviesMargaret DrabbleLucinda LambtonMaureen LipmanGervase PhinnJohn SergeantJoanna Trollope – and more